Mobile communication system

ABSTRACT

A mobile communication system capable of reducing energy consumption of a network node in a local area range. When judging that there is a shift trigger, a local eNB shifts from a normal operation to an energy saving operation. In the energy saving operation, the local eNB stops the operation of transmitting at least a part of downlink transmission signals to be transmitted to a user equipment (UE) and performs the operation of receiving an uplink transmission signal transmitted from the UE. When judging that it has received the uplink transmission signal (RACH) in the energy saving operation, the local eNB shifts to the normal operation.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a mobile communication system in whicha base station performs radio communication with a plurality of userequipments.

BACKGROUND ART

Commercial service of a wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA)system among so-called third-generation communication systems has beenoffered in Japan since 2001. In addition, high speed downlink packetaccess (HSDPA) service for achieving higher-speed data transmissionusing a downlink has been offered by adding a channel for packettransmission (high speed-downlink shared channel (HS-DSCH)) to thedownlink (dedicated data channel, dedicated control channel). Further,in order to increase the speed of data transmission in an uplinkdirection, service of a high speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) systemhas been offered. W-CDMA is a communication system defined by the 3rdgeneration partnership project (3GPP) that is the standard organizationregarding the mobile communication system, where the specifications ofRelease 8 version are produced.

Further, 3GPP is studying new communication systems referred to as longterm evolution (LTE) regarding radio areas and system architectureevolution (SAE) regarding the overall system configuration including acore network (merely referred to as network as well) as communicationsystems independent of W-CDMA.

In the LTE, an access scheme, a radio channel configuration and aprotocol are totally different from those of the current W-CDMA(HSDPA/HSUPA). For example, as to the access scheme, code divisionmultiple access is used in the W-CDMA, whereas in the LTE, orthogonalfrequency division multiplexing (OFDM) is used in a downlink directionand single career frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) is usedin an uplink direction. In addition, the bandwidth is 5 MHz in theW-CDMA, while in the LTE, the bandwidth can be selected from 1.4 MHz, 3MHz, 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz and 20 MHz for each base station. Further,differently from the W-CDMA, circuit switching is not provided but apacket communication system is only provided in the LTE.

The LTE is defined as a radio access network independent of the W-CDMAnetwork because its communication system is configured with a new corenetwork different from a core network (general packet radio service:GPRS) of the W-CDMA. Therefore, for differentiation from the W-CDMAcommunication system, a base station that communicates with a userequipment (UE) and a radio network controller that transmits/receivescontrol data and user data to/from a plurality of base stations arereferred to as an E-UTRAN NodeB (eNB) and an evolved packet core (EPC)or access gateway (aGW), respectively, in the LTE communication system.Unicast service and evolved multimedia broadcast multicast service(E-MBMS service) are provided in this LTE communication system. TheE-MBMS service is broadcast multimedia service, which is merely referredto as MBMS in some cases. Bulk broadcast contents such as news, weatherforecast and mobile broadcast are transmitted to a plurality of userequipments. This is also referred to as point to multipoint service.

Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 4.6.1) describes the current decisions by3GPP regarding an overall architecture in the LTE system. The overallarchitecture is described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a diagramillustrating the configuration of the LTE communication system. Withreference to FIG. 1, the evolved universal terrestrial radio access(E-UTRAN) is composed of one or a plurality of base stations 102,provided that a control protocol for a user equipment 101 such as aradio resource control (RRC) and user planes such as a packet dataconvergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), medium accesscontrol (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) are terminated in a base station102.

The base stations 102 perform scheduling and transmission of pagingsignal (also referred to as paging messages) notified from a mobilitymanagement entity (MME) 103. The base stations 102 are connected to eachother by means of an X2 interface. In addition, the base stations 102are connected to an evolved packet core (EPC) by means of an S1interface. More specifically, the base station 102 is connected to themobility management entity (MME) 103 by means of an S1_MME interface andconnected to a serving gateway (S-GW) 104 by means of an S1_U interface.

The MME 103 distributes the paging signal to a plurality of or a singlebase station 102. In addition, the MME 103 performs mobility control ofan idle state. When the user equipment is in the idle state and anactive state, the MME 103 manages a list of tracking areas.

The S-GW 104 transmits/receives user data to/from one or a plurality ofbase stations 102. The S-GW 104 serves as a local mobility anchor pointin handover between base stations. Moreover, a PDN gateway (P-GW) isprovided in the EPC, which performs per-user packet filtering and UE-IDaddress allocation.

The control protocol RRC between the user equipment 101 and the basestation 102 performs broadcast, paging, RRC connection management andthe like. The states of the base station and the user equipment in RRCare classified into RRC_Idle and RRC_CONNECTED. In RRC_IDLE, public landmobile network (PLMN) selection, system information (SI) broadcast,paging, cell reselection, mobility and the like are performed. InRRC_CONNECTED, the user equipment has RRC connection, is capable oftransmitting/receiving data to/from a network, and performs, forexample, handover (HO) and measurement of a neighbor cell. RRC_IDLE ismerely referred to as IDLE or idle state as well. RRC_CONNECTED ismerely referred to as CONNECTED or connected state as well.

The current decisions by 3GPP regarding the frame configuration in theLTE system described in Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 5) are describedwith reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating theconfiguration of a radio frame used in the LTE communication system.With reference to FIG. 2, one radio frame is 10 ms. The radio frame isdivided into ten equally sized subframes. The subframe is divided intotwo equally sized slots. The first and sixth subframes contain adownlink synchronization signal (SS) per each radio frame. Thesynchronization signals are classified into a primary synchronizationsignal (P-SS) and a secondary synchronization signal (S-SS).Multiplexing of channels for multimedia broadcast multicast servicesingle frequency network (MBSFN) and for non-MBSFN is performed on aper-subframe basis. Hereinafter, a subframe for MBSFN transmission isreferred to as an MBSFN subframe.

Non-Patent Document 2 describes a signaling example when MBSFN subframesare allocated. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of theMBSFN frame. With reference to FIG. 3, the MBSFN subframes are allocatedfor each MBSFN frame. An MBSFN frame cluster is scheduled. A repetitionperiod of the MBSFN frame cluster is allocated.

Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 5) describes the current decisions by3GPP regarding the channel configuration in the LTE system. It isassumed that the same channel configuration is used in a closedsubscriber group cell (CSG cell) as that of a non-CSG cell. Physicalchannels are described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagramillustrating physical channels used in the LTE communication system.With reference to FIG. 4, a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) 401 is adownlink channel transmitted from the base station 102 to the userequipment 101. A BCH transport block is mapped to four subframes withina 40 ms interval. There is no explicit signaling indicating 40 mstiming. A physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) 402 istransmitted from the base station 102 to the user equipment 101. ThePCFICH notifies the number of OFDM symbols used for PDCCHs from the basestation 102 to the user equipment 101. The PCFICH is transmitted in eachsubframe.

A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) 403 is a downlink channeltransmitted from the base station 102 to the user equipment 101. ThePDCCH notifies the resource allocation, HARQ information related toDL-SCH (downlink shared channel that is one of the transport channelsshown in FIG. 5 described below) and the PCH (paging channel that is oneof the transport channels shown in FIG. 5). The PDCCH carries an uplinkscheduling grant. The PDCCH carries acknowledgement (Ack)/negativeacknowledgement (Nack) that is a response signal to uplink transmission.The PDCCH is referred to as an L1/L2 control signal as well.

A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) 404 is a downlink channeltransmitted from the base station 102 to the user equipment 101. ADL-SCH (downlink shared channel) that is a transport channel and a PCHthat is a transport channel are mapped to the PDSCH. A physicalmulticast channel (PMCH) 405 is a downlink channel transmitted from thebase station 102 to the user equipment 101. A multicast channel (MCH)that is a transport channel is mapped to the PMCH.

A physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) 406 is an uplink channeltransmitted from the user equipment 101 to the base station 102. ThePUCCH carries Ack/Nack that is a response signal to downlinktransmission. The PUCCH carries a channel quality indicator (CQI)report. The CQI is quality information indicating the quality ofreceived data or channel quality. In addition, the PUCCH carries ascheduling request (SR). A physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) 407 isan uplink channel transmitted from the user equipment 101 to the basestation 102. A UL-SCH (uplink shared channel that is one of thetransport channels shown in FIG. 5) is mapped to the PUSCH.

A physical hybrid ARQ indicator channel (PHICH) 408 is a downlinkchannel transmitted from the base station 102 to the user equipment 101.The PHICH carries Ack/Nack that is a response to uplink transmission. Aphysical random access channel (PRACH) 409 is an uplink channeltransmitted from the user equipment 101 to the base station 102. ThePRACH carries a random access preamble.

A downlink reference signal which is a known symbol in a mobilecommunication system is inserted in the first, third and last OFDMsymbols of each slot. The physical layer measurement objects of a userequipment include reference symbol received power (RSRP).

The transport channel described in Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 5) isdescribed with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustratingtransport channels used in the LTE communication system. Part (A) ofFIG. 5 shows mapping between a downlink transport channel and a downlinkphysical channel. Part (B) of FIG. 5 shows mapping between an uplinktransport channel and an uplink physical channel. A broadcast channel(BCH) is broadcast to the entire base station (cell) regarding thedownlink transport channel. The BCH is mapped to the physical broadcastchannel (PBCH).

Retransmission control according to a hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is applied to adownlink shared channel (DL-SCH). The DL-SCH enables broadcast to theentire base station (cell). The DL-SCH supports dynamic or semi-staticresource allocation. The semi-static resource allocation is alsoreferred to as persistent scheduling. The DL-SCH supports discontinuousreception (DRX) of a user equipment for enabling the user equipment tosave power. The DL-SCH is mapped to the physical downlink shared channel(PDSCH).

The paging channel (PCH) supports DRX of the user equipment for enablingthe user equipment to save power. Broadcast to the entire base station(cell) is required for the PCH. The PCH is mapped to physical resourcessuch as the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) that can be useddynamically for traffic or physical resources such as the physicaldownlink control channel (PDCCH) of the other control channel. Themulticast channel (MCH) is used for broadcast to the entire base station(cell). The MCH supports SFN combining of MBMS service (MTCH and MCCH)in multi-cell transmission. The MCH supports semi-static resourceallocation. The MCH is mapped to the PMCH.

Retransmission control according to a hybrid ARQ (HARQ) is applied to anuplink shared channel (UL-SCH). The UL-SCH supports dynamic orsemi-static resource allocation. The UL-SCH is mapped to the physicaluplink shared channel (PUSCH). A random access channel (RACH) shown inpart (B) of FIG. 5 is limited to control information. The RACH involvesa collision risk. The RACH is mapped to the physical random accesschannel (PRACH).

The HARQ is described. The HARQ is the technique for improving thecommunication quality of a channel by combination of automatic repeatrequest and forward error correction. The HARQ has an advantage thaterror correction functions effectively by retransmission even for achannel whose communication quality changes. In particular, it is alsopossible to achieve further quality improvement in retransmissionthrough combination of the reception results of the first transmissionand the reception results of the retransmission.

An example of the retransmission method is described. In a case wherethe receiver fails to successfully decode the received data, in otherwords, in a case where a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) error occurs(CRC=NG), the receiver transmits “Nack” to the transmitter. Thetransmitter that has received “Nack” retransmits the data. In a casewhere the receiver successfully decodes the received data, in otherwords, in a case where a CRC error does not occur (CRC=OK), the receivertransmits “AcK” to the transmitter. The transmitter that has received“Ack” transmits the next data.

Examples of the HARQ system include chase combining. In chase combining,the same data sequence is transmitted in the first transmission andretransmission, which is the system for improving gains by combining thedata sequence of the first transmission and the data sequence of theretransmission in retransmission. This is based on the idea that correctdata is partially included even if the data of the first transmissioncontains an error, and highly accurate data transmission is enabled bycombining the correct portions of the first transmission data and theretransmission data. Another example of the HARQ system is incrementalredundancy (IR). The IR is aimed to increase redundancy, where a paritybit is transmitted in retransmission to increase the redundancy bycombining the first transmission and retransmission, to thereby improvethe quality by an error correction function.

A logical channel (hereinafter, referred to as “logical channel” in somecases) described in Non-Patent Document 1 (Chapter 6) is described withreference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating logical channelsused in an LTE communication system. Part (A1 of FIG. 6 shows mappingbetween a downlink logical channel and a downlink transport channel.Part (B) of FIG. 6 shows mapping between an uplink logical channel andan uplink transport channel. A broadcast control channel (BCCH) is adownlink channel for broadcast system control information. The BCCH thatis a logical channel is mapped to the broadcast channel (BCH) ordownlink shared channel (DL-SCH) that is a transport channel.

A paging control channel (PCCH) is a downlink channel for transmittingpaging signals. The PCCH is used when the network does not know the celllocation of a user equipment. The PCCH that is a logical channel ismapped to the paging channel (PCH) that is a transport channel. A commoncontrol channel (CCCH) is a channel for transmission control informationbetween user equipments and a base station. The CCCH is used in a casewhere the user equipments have no RRC connection with the network. In adownlink direction, the CCCH is mapped to the downlink shared channel(DL-SCH) that is a transport channel. In an uplink direction, the CCCHis mapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) that is a transportchannel.

A multicast control channel (MCCH) is a downlink channel forpoint-to-multipoint transmission. The MCCH is used for transmission ofMBMS control information for one or several MTCHs from a network to auser equipment. The MCCH is used only by a user equipment duringreception of the MBMS. The MCCH is mapped to the downlink shared channel(DL-SCH) or multicast channel (MCH) that is a transport channel.

A dedicated control channel (DCCH) is a channel that transmits dedicatedcontrol information between a user equipment and a network. The DCCH ismapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) in uplink and mapped to thedownlink shared channel (DL-SCH) in downlink.

A dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) is a point-to-point communicationchannel for transmission of user information to a dedicated userequipment. The DTCH exists in uplink as well as downlink. The DTCH ismapped to the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) in uplink and mapped to thedownlink shared channel (DL-SCH) in downlink.

A multicast traffic channel (MTCH) is a downlink channel for trafficdata transmission from a network to a user equipment. The MTCH is achannel used only by a user equipment during reception of the MBMS. TheMTCH is mapped to the downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) or multicastchannel (MCH).

GCI represents a global cell identity. A closed subscriber group cell(CSG cell) is introduced in the LTE and universal mobiletelecommunication system (UMTS). The CSG is described below (see Chapter3.1 of Non-Patent Document 3). The closed subscriber group (CSG) is acell (cell for specific subscribers) in which subscribers who areallowed to use are specified by an operator. The specified subscribersare allowed to access one or more E-UTRAN cells of a public land mobilenetwork (PLMN). One or more E-UTRAN cells in which the specifiedsubscribers are allowed access are referred to as “CSG cell(s)”. Notethat access is limited in the PLMN. The CSG cell is part of the PLMNthat broadcasts a specific CSG identity (CSG ID, CSG-ID). The authorizedmembers of the subscriber group who have registered in advance accessthe CSG cells using the CSG-ID that is the access permissioninformation.

The CSG-ID is broadcast by the CSG cell or cells. A plurality of CSG-IDsexist in a mobile communication system. The CSG-IDs are used by userequipments (UEs) for making access from CSG-related members easier. Thelocations of user equipments are traced based on an area composed of oneor more cells. The locations are traced for enabling tracing of thelocations of user equipments and calling (calling of user equipments)even in an idle state. An area for tracing locations of user equipmentsis referred to as a tracking area. A CSG whitelist is a list stored in auniversal subscriber identity module (USIM) in which all CSG IDs of theCSG cells to which the subscribers belong are recorded. The CSGwhitelist is also referred to as an allowed CSG ID list in some cases.

A “suitable cell” is described below (see Chapter 4. 3 of Non-PatentDocument 3). The “suitable cell” is a cell on which a UE camps to obtainnormal service. Such a cell shall fulfill the following conditions.

(1) The cell is part of the selected PLMN or the registered PLMN, orpart of the PLMN of an “equivalent PLMN list”.

(2) According to the latest information provided by a non-access stratum(NAS), the cell shall further fulfill the following conditions:

(a) the cell is not a barred cell;

(b) the cell is part of at least one tracking area (TA), not part of thelist of “forbidden LAs for roaming”, where the cell needs to fulfill (1)above;

(c) the cell shall fulfill the cell selection criteria; and

(d) for a cell specified as CSG cell by system information (SI), theCSG-ID is part of a “CSG whitelist” of the UE (contained in the CSGwhitelist of the UE).

An “acceptable cell” is described below (see Chapter 4.3 of Non-PatentDocument 3). This is the cell on which a UE camps to obtain limitedservice (emergency calls). Such a cell shall fulfill all the followingrequirements. That is, the minimum required set for initiating anemergency call in an E-UTRAN network are as follows: (1) the cell is nota barred cell; and (2) the cell fulfills the cell selection criteria.

Camping on a cell represents the state where a UE has completed the cellselection/reselection process and the UE has selected a cell formonitoring the system information and paging information.

3GPP is studying base stations referred to as Home-NodeB (Home-NB; HNB)and Home-eNodeB (Home-eNB; HeNB). HNB/HeNB is a base station for, forexample, household, corporation or commercial access service inUTRAN/E-UTRAN. Non-Patent Document 4 discloses three different modes ofthe access to the HeNB and HNB. Specifically, those are an open accessmode, a closed access mode and a hybrid access mode.

The respective modes have the following characteristics. In the openaccess mode, the HeNB and HNB are operated as a normal cell of a normaloperator. In the closed access mode, the HeNB and HNB are operated as aCSG cell. The CSG cell is a cell where only CSG members are allowedaccess. In the hybrid access mode, non-CSG members are allowed access atthe same time. In other words, a cell in the hybrid access mode (alsoreferred to as hybrid cell) is the cell that supports both the openaccess mode and the closed access mode.

3GPP discusses that all physical cell identities (PCIs) are split(referred to as PCI-split) into ones reserved for CSG cells and theothers reserved for non-CSG cells (see Non-Patent Document 5). Further,3GPP discusses that the PCI split information is broadcast in the systeminformation from the base station to the user equipments being servedthereby. Non-Patent Document 5 discloses the basic operation of a userequipment using PCI split. The user equipment that does not have the PCIsplit information needs to perform cell search using all PCIs (forexample, using all 504 codes). On the other hand, the user equipmentthat has the PCI split information is capable of performing cell searchusing the PCI split information.

Further, 3GPP is pursuing specifications standard of long term evolutionadvanced (LTE-A) as Release 10 (see Non-Patent Document 6 and Non-PatentDocument 7).

As to the LTE-A system, it is studied that a relay (relay node (RN)) issupported for achieving a high data rate, high cell-edge throughput, newcoverage area or the like. The relay node is wirelessly connected to theradio-access network via a donor cell (Donor eNB; DeNB). The network(NW)-to-relay node link shares the same frequency band with thenetwork-to-UE link within the range of the donor cell. In this case, theUE can also be connected to the donor cell in Release 8. The linkbetween a donor cell and a relay node is referred to as a backhaul link,and the link between the relay node and the UE is referred to as anaccess link.

As the method of multiplexing backhaul links in frequency divisionduplex (FDD), the transmission from DeNB to RN is done in the downlink(DL) frequency band, whereas the transmission from RN to DeNB is done inthe uplink (UL) frequency band. As the method of partitioning resourcesat the relay, the link from DeNB to RN and link from RN to UE are timedivision multiplexed in a single frequency band, and the link from RN toDeNB and the link from UE to RN are time division multiplexed in asingle frequency band as well. This prevents, in the relay, thetransmission of the relay from causing interference to the reception ofits own relay.

As one of the techniques to be studied in LTE-A, heterogeneous networks(HetNet) are added. 3GPP has decided to handle low-output-power networknodes in a local area range, such as pico eNB (pico cell), node forhotzone cells, HeNB/HNB/CSG cell, relay node, and remote radio head(RRH).

3GPP discusses energy saving of an infrastructure. Currently, energysaving of an infrastructure is discussed as follows. A base station orcell employed as a capacity booster monitors a traffic load, and can beswitched off if the state in which a traffic is equal to or smaller thana given threshold continues for a certain period (see Non-PatentDocument 8). In a case where the load of an operating base station ishigh, the base station can request that the base station that has beenswitched off be switched on (see Non-Patent Document 8). The basestation that can be switched off is a cell that provides basic coverageand basic capacity (see Non-Patent Document 9).

Typically, the cells that provide basic coverage and basic capacity areregarded as wide-area eNBs (see Non-Patent Document 10).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS Non-Patent Documents

-   Non-Patent Document 1: 3GPP TS36.300 V9.1.0 Chapter 4.6.1, Chapter    4.6.2, Chapter 5, Chapter 6, and Chapter 10.7-   Non-Patent Document 2: 3GPP R1-072963-   Non-Patent Document 3: 3GPP TS36.304 V9.0.0 Chapter 3.1, Chapter 4.3    and Chapter 5.2.4-   Non-Patent Document 4: 3GPP S1-083461-   Non-Patent Document 5: 3GPP R2-082899-   Non-Patent Document 6: 3GPP TR36.814 V1.1.1-   Non-Patent Document 7: 3GPP TR36.912 V9.0.0-   Non-Patent Document 8: 3GPP R3-093104-   Non-Patent Document 9: 3GPP R3-093103-   Non-Patent Document 10: 3GPP RP-090665

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

As described above, the cells that provide basic coverage and basiccapacity are typically regarded as wide-area eNBs. This means thatnetwork nodes in a local area range are not taken into consideration inthe technology disclosed in Non-Patent Document 8. This leads to aproblem that the conventional technology cannot reduce energyconsumption of network nodes in a local area range.

An efficient reduction in energy consumption of network nodes in a localarea range is an important issue for pursuing energy saving of a system.

An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile communicationsystem capable of reducing energy consumption of network nodes in alocal area range.

Means to Solve the Problem

The present invention relates to a mobile communication system includinga local base station device and a user equipment device configured toperform radio communication with the local base station device, whereinupon predetermined shift conditions being satisfied, the local basestation device shifts from a normal operation state to an energy savingoperation state, the local base station device performing a transmissionoperation for downlink transmission signals to be transmitted to theuser equipment device and a reception operation for uplink transmissionsignals transmitted from the user equipment device in the normaloperation state and stopping the transmission operation for at leastpart of the downlink transmission signals and performing the receptionoperation in the energy saving operation state.

Effects of the Invention

According to the mobile communication system of the present invention,when the predetermined shift condition is satisfied, the local basestation device shifts from the normal operation state to the energysaving operation state, to thereby stop the transmission operation forat least part of the downlink transmission signals to be transmitted tothe user equipment device. As a result, energy consumption can bereduced in the local base station device even if the local base stationdevice is, for example, a network node in a local area range. Inaddition, even in the energy saving operation state, the local basestation device performs the reception operation of the uplinktransmission signals transmitted from the user equipment device.Accordingly, the local base station device can be configured to shiftfrom the energy saving operation state to the normal operation statewhen, for example, receiving the uplink transmission signal transmittedfrom the user equipment device. This enables the local base stationdevice in the energy saving operation state to shift to the normaloperation state irrespective of the location and state of the userequipment device.

These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become more apparent from the following detaileddescription of the present invention when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an LTEcommunication system.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a radio frame usedin the LTE communication system.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an MBSFN frame.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating physical channels used in the LTEcommunication system.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating transport channels used in the LTEcommunication system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating logical channels used in the LTEcommunication system.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an LTEmobile communication system currently under discussion of 3GPP.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a user equipment(user equipment 71 of FIG. 7) according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a base station(base station 72 of FIG. 7) according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an MME (MME unit73 of FIG. 7) according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a HeNBGW 74shown in FIG. 7 that is a HeNBGW according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an outline from a cell search to an idlestate operation performed by a user equipment (UE) in the LTEcommunication system.

FIG. 13 is a location diagram illustrating a problem of Non-PatentDocument 8.

FIG. 14 is a location diagram illustrating a solution of a firstembodiment.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where the solution of the firstembodiment is used.

FIG. 16 is a location diagram illustrating a problem of a firstmodification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where a solution of the firstmodification of the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 18 is a location diagram illustrating a problem of a secondmodification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where a solution of the secondmodification of the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where a solution of a third modificationof the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 21 is a location diagram illustrating a problem of a fifthmodification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram in a case where a solution of the fifthmodification of the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram of a mobile communication system, whichillustrates a random access procedure disclosed in Non-Patent Document15.

FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where a solution of a sixth modificationof the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where a solution of a tenth modificationof the first embodiment is used.

FIG. 26 is a location diagram illustrating a problem of an eleventhmodification of the first embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows a specific example of information of path loss of asolution of the eleventh modification of the first embodiment.

EMBODIMENTS FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION First Embodiment

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of an LTEmobile communication system, which is currently under discussion of3GPP. Currently, 3GPP is studying an overall system configurationincluding closed subscriber group (CSG) cells (Home-eNodeBs (Home-eNB;HeNB) of E-UTRAN, Home-NB (HNB) of UTRAN) and non-CSG cells (eNodeB(eNB) of E-UTRAN, NodeB (NB) of UTRAN, and BSS of GERAN) and, as toE-UTRAN, is proposing the configuration as shown in FIG. 7 (see Chapter4.6.1 of Non-Patent Document 1).

FIG. 7 is described. A user equipment device (hereinafter, referred toas “user equipment” or “UE”) 71 is capable of performing radiocommunication with a base station device (hereinafter, referred to as“base station”) 72 and transmits/receives signals through radiocommunication. The base stations 72 are classified into an eNB 72-1 anda Home-eNB 72-2. The eNB 72-1 is connected to an MME/S-GW unit(hereinafter, referred to as an “MME unit”) 73 including an MME, S-GW orMME and S-GW through an S1 interface, and control information iscommunicated between the eNB 72-1 and the MME unit 73. A plurality ofMME units 73 may be connected to one eNB 72-1. The eNBs 72-1 areconnected to each other by means of an X2 interface, and controlinformation is communicated between the eNBs 72-1.

The Home-eNB 72-2 is connected to the MME unit 73 by means of the S1interface, and control information is communicated between the Home-eNB72-2 and the MME unit 73. A plurality of Home-eNBs 72-2 are connected toone MME unit 73. While, the Home-eNBs 72-2 are connected to the MMEunits 73 through a Home-eNB Gateway (HeNBGW) 74. The Home-eNBs 72-2 areconnected to the HeNBGW 74 by means of the S1 interface, and the HeNBGW74 is connected to the MME units 73 through an S1 interface. One or aplurality of Home-eNBs 72-2 are connected to one HeNBGW 74, andinformation is communicated therebetween through an S1 interface. TheHeNBGW 74 is connected to one or a plurality of MME units 73, andinformation is communicated therebetween through an S1 interface.

Further, 3GPP is currently studying the configuration below. The X2interface between the Home-eNBs 72-2 is not supported. The HeNBGW 74appears to the MME unit 73 as the eNB 72-1. The HeNBGW 74 appears to theHome-eNB 72-2 as the MME unit 73. The interfaces between the Home-eNBs72-2 and the MME units 73 are the same, which are the S1 interfaces,irrespective of whether or not the Home-eNB 72-2 is connected to the MMEunit 73 through the HeNBGW 74. The mobility to the Home-eNB 72-2 or themobility from the Home-eNB 72-2 that spans the plurality of MME units 73is not supported. The Home-eNB 72-2 supports a single cell.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the userequipment (user equipment 71 of FIG. 7) according to the presentinvention. The transmission process of the user equipment 71 shown inFIG. 8 is described. First, a transmission data buffer unit 803 storesthe control data from a protocol processing unit 801 and the user datafrom an application unit 802. The data stored in the transmission databuffer unit 803 is transmitted to an encoding unit 804 and is subjectedto encoding process such as error correction. There may exist the dataoutput from the transmission data buffer unit 803 directly to amodulating unit 805 without encoding process. The data encoded by theencoding unit 804 is modulated by the modulating unit 805. The modulateddata is output to a frequency converting unit 806 after being convertedinto a baseband signal, and then is converted into a radio transmissionfrequency. After that, a transmission signal is transmitted from anantenna 807 to the base station 72.

The user equipment 71 executes the reception process as follows. Theantenna 807 receives the radio signal from the base station 72. Thereceived signal is converted from a radio reception frequency to abaseband signal by the frequency converting unit 806 and is thendemodulated by a demodulating unit 808. The demodulated data istransmitted to a decoding unit 809 and is subjected to decoding processsuch as error correction. Among the pieces of decoded data, the controldata is transmitted to the protocol processing unit 801, while the userdata is transmitted to the application unit 802. A series of processesof the user equipment 71 is controlled by a control unit 810. This meansthat, though not shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 810 is connected tothe respective units 801 to 809.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the base station(base station 72 of FIG. 7) according to the present invention. Thetransmission process of the base station 72 shown in FIG. 9 isdescribed. An EPC communication unit 901 performs datatransmission/reception between the base station 72 and the EPCs (such asMME unit 73 and HeNBGW 74). The EPC corresponds to a communicationdevice. A communication with another base station unit 902 performs datatransmission/reception to/from another base station. The X2 interfacebetween the Home-eNBs 72-2 is not intended to be supported, andaccordingly, it is conceivable that the communication with another basestation unit 902 may not exist in the Home-eNB 72-2. The EPCcommunication unit 901 and the communication with another base stationunit 902 respectively transmit/receive information to/from a protocolprocessing unit 903. The control data from the protocol processing unit903, and the user data and control data from the EPC communication unit901 and the communication with another base station unit 902 are storedin a transmission data buffer unit 904.

The data stored in the transmission data buffer unit 904 is transmittedto an encoding unit 905 and is then subjected to encoding process suchas error correction. There may exist the data output from thetransmission data buffer unit 904 directly to a modulating unit 906without encoding process. The encoded data is modulated by themodulating unit 906. The modulated data is output to a frequencyconverting unit 907 after being converted into a baseband signal, and isthen converted into a radio transmission frequency. After that, atransmission signal is transmitted from an antenna 908 to one or aplurality of user equipments 71.

Meanwhile, the reception process of the base station 72 is executed asfollows. A radio signal from one or a plurality of user equipments 71 isreceived by the antenna 908. The received signal is converted from aradio reception frequency into a baseband signal by the frequencyconverting unit 907, and is then demodulated by a demodulating unit 909.The demodulated data is transmitted to a decoding unit 910 and is thensubjected to decoding process such as error correction. Among the piecesof decoded data, the control data is transmitted to the protocolprocessing unit 903, EPC communication unit 901, or communication withanother base station unit 902, while the user data is transmitted to theEPC communication unit 901 and communication with another base stationunit 902. A series of processes by the base station 72 is controlled bya control unit 911. This means that, though not shown in FIG. 9, thecontrol unit 911 is connected to the respective units 901 to 910.

The functions of the Home-eNB 72-2 currently under discussion of 3GPPare described below (see Chapter 4.6.2 of Non-Patent Document 1). TheHome-eNB 72-2 has the same function as that of the eNB 72-1. Inaddition, the Home-eNB 72-2 has the function of discovering a suitableserving HeNBGW 74 in a case of connection to the HeNBGW 74. The Home-eNB72-2 is connected only to one HeNBGW 74. That is, in a case of theconnection to the HeNBGW 74, the Home-eNB 72-2 does not use the Flexfunction in the S1 interface. When the Home-eNB 72-2 is connected to oneHeNBGW 74, it is not simultaneously connected to another HeNBGW 74 oranother MME unit 73.

The TAC and PLMN ID of the Home-eNB 72-2 are supported by the HeNBGW 74.When the Home-eNB 72-2 is connected to the HeNBGW 74, selection of theMME unit 73 at “UE attachment” is performed by the HeNBGW 74 instead ofthe Home-eNB 72-2. The Home-eNB 72-2 may be deployed without networkplanning. In this case, the Home-eNB 72-2 is moved from one geographicalarea to another geographical area. Accordingly, the Home-eNB 72-2 inthis case is required to be connected to a different HeNBGW 74 dependingon its location.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the MME (MMEunit 73 of FIG. 7) according to the present invention. A PDN GWcommunication unit 1001 performs data transmission/reception between theMME unit 73 and a PDN GW. A base station communication unit 1002performs data transmission/reception between the MME unit 73 and thebase station 72 by means of the S1 interface. In the case where the datareceived from the PDN GW is user data, the user data is transmitted fromthe PDN GW communication unit 1001 to the base station communicationunit 1002 through a user plane communication unit 1003 and is thentransmitted to one or a plurality of base stations 72. In the case wherethe data received from the base station 72 is user data, the user datais transmitted from the base station communication unit 1002 to the PDNGW communication unit 1001 through the user plane communication unit1003 and is then transmitted to the PDN GW.

In the case where the data received from the PDN GW is control data, thecontrol data is transmitted from the PDN GW communication unit 1001 to acontrol plane control unit 1005. In the case where the data receivedfrom the base station 72 is control data, the control data istransmitted from the base station communication unit 1002 to the controlplane control unit 1005.

A HeNBGW communication unit 1004 is provided in the case where theHeNBGW 74 is provided, which performs data transmission/reception bymeans of the interface (IF) between the MME unit 73 and the HeNBGW 74according to an information type. The control data received from theHeNBGW communication unit 1004 is transmitted from the HeNBGWcommunication unit 1004 to the control plane control unit 1005. Theprocessing results of the control plane control unit 1005 aretransmitted to the PDN GW through the PDN GW communication unit 1001.The processing results of the control plane control unit 1005 aretransmitted to one or a plurality of base stations 72 by means of the S1interface through the base station communication unit 1002, and aretransmitted to one or a plurality of HeNBGWs 74 through the HeNBGWcommunication unit 1004.

The control plane control unit 1005 includes a NAS security unit 1005-1,an SAE bearer control unit 1005-2 and an idle state mobility managingunit 1005-3, and performs overall process for the control plane. The NASsecurity unit 1005-1 provides, for example, security of a non-accessstratum (NAS) message. The SAE bearer control unit 1005-2 manages, forexample, a system architecture evolution (SAE) bearer. The idle statemobility managing unit 1005-3 performs, for example, mobility managementof an idle state (LTE-IDLE state, which is merely referred to as idle aswell), generation and control of paging signaling in an idle state,addition, deletion, update and search of a tracking area (TA) of one ora plurality of user equipments 71 being served thereby, and trackingarea list (TA list) management.

The MME unit 73 begins a paging protocol by transmitting a pagingmessage to the cell belonging to a tracking area (TA) in which the UE isregistered. The idle state mobility managing unit 1005-3 may manage theCSG of the Home-eNBs 72-2 to be connected to the MME unit 73, CSG-IDsand a whitelist.

In the CSG-ID management, the relationship between a user equipmentcorresponding to the CSG-ID and the CSG cell is managed (added, deleted,updated or searched). For example, it may be the relationship betweenone or a plurality of user equipments whose user access registration hasbeen performed with a CSG-ID and the CSG cells belonging to this CSG-ID.In the whitelist management, the relationship between the user equipmentand the CSG-ID is managed (added, deleted, updated or searched). Forexample, one or a plurality of CSG-IDs with which user registration hasbeen performed by a user equipment may be stored in the whitelist. Theabove-mentioned management related to the CSG may be performed byanother part of the MME unit 73. A series of processes by the MME unit73 is controlled by a control unit 1006. This means that, though notshown in FIG. 10, the control unit 1006 is connected to the respectiveunits 1001 to 1005.

The function of the MME currently under discussion of 3GPP is describedbelow (see Chapter 4.6.2 of Non-Patent Document 1). The MME performsaccess control for one or a plurality of user equipments being membersof closed subscriber groups (CSGs). The MME recognizes the execution ofpaging optimization as an option.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the HeNBGW 74shown in FIG. 7 that is a HeNBGW according to the present invention. AnEPC communication unit 1101 performs data transmission/reception betweenthe HeNBGW 74 and the MME unit 73 by means of the S1 interface. A basestation communication unit 1102 performs data transmission/receptionbetween the HeNBGW 74 and the Home-eNB 72-2 by means of the S1interface. A location processing unit 1103 performs the process oftransmitting, to a plurality of Home-eNBs 72-2, the registrationinformation or the like among the data transmitted from the MME unit 73through the EPC communication unit 1101. The data processed by thelocation processing unit 1103 is transmitted to the base stationcommunication unit 1102 and is transmitted to one or a plurality ofHome-eNBs 72-2 through the S1 interface.

The data only caused to pass through (to be transparent) withoutrequiring the process by the location processing unit 1103 is passedfrom the EPC communication unit 1101 to the base station communicationunit 1102, and is transmitted to one or a plurality of Home-eNBs 72-2through the S1 interface. A series of processes by the HeNBGW 74 iscontrolled by a control unit 1104. This means that, though not shown inFIG. 11, the control unit 1104 is connected to the respective units 1101to 1103.

The function of the HeNBGW 74 currently under discussion of 3GPP isdescribed below (see Chapter 4.6.2 of Non-Patent Document 1). The HeNBGW74 relays an S1 application. The HeNBGW 74 terminates the S1 applicationthat is not associated with the user equipment 71 though it is a part ofthe procedures toward the Home-eNB 72-2 and towards the MME unit 73.When the HeNBGW 74 is deployed, the procedure that is not associatedwith the user equipment 71 is communicated between the Home-eNB 72-2 andthe HeNBGW 74 and between the HeNBGW 74 and the MME unit 73. The X2interface is not set between the HeNBGW 74 and another node. The HeNBGW74 recognizes the execution of paging optimization as an option.

Next, an example of a typical cell search method in a mobilecommunication system is described. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing anoutline from cell search to idle state operation performed by a userequipment (UE) in the LTE communication system. After starting the cellsearch, in Step ST1201, the user equipment synchronizes the slot timingand frame timing by a primary synchronization signal (P-SS) and asecondary synchronization signal (S-SS) transmitted from a nearby basestation. Synchronization codes, which correspond to physical cellidentities (PCIs) assigned per cell one by one, are assigned to thesynchronization signals (SSs) including the P-SS and S-SS. The number ofPCIs is currently studied in 504 ways, and these 504 ways are used forsynchronization, and the PCIs of the synchronized cells are detected(specified).

Next, in Step ST1202, the user equipment detects a reference signal RSof the synchronized cells, which is transmitted from the base stationper cell, and measures the received power. The code corresponding to thePCI one by one is used for the reference signal RS, and separation fromanother cell is enabled by correlation using the code. The code for RSof the cell is derived from the PCI specified in Step ST1201, whichmakes it possible to detect the RS and measure the RS received power.

Next, in Step ST1203, the user equipment selects the cell having thebest RS reception quality (for example, cell having the highest RSreceived power; best cell) from one or more cells that have beendetected up to Step ST1202.

In Step ST1204, next, the user equipment receives the PBCH of the bestcell, and obtains the BCCH that is the broadcast information. A masterinformation block (MIB) containing the cell configuration information ismapped on the BCCH over the PBCH. Accordingly, the MIB is obtained byobtaining the BCCH through reception of the PBCH. Examples of the MIBinformation include the downlink (DL) system bandwidth (also referred toas transmission bandwidth configuration (dl-bandwidth)), transmissionantenna number and system frame number (SFN).

In Step ST 1205, next, the user equipment receives the DL-SCH of thecell based on the cell configuration information of the MIB, to therebyobtain a system information block (SIB) 1 of the broadcast informationBCCH. The SIB1 contains the information related to the access to thecell, information related to cell selection and scheduling informationof other SIB (SIBk; k is an integer equal to or larger than two). Inaddition, the SIB1 contains a tracking area code (TAC).

In Step ST1206, next, the user equipment compares the TAC of the SIB1received in Step ST1205 with the TAC that has been already possessed bythe user equipment. In a case where they are identical to each other asa result of comparison, the user equipment enters an idle stateoperation in the cell. In a case where they are different from eachother as a result of comparison, the user equipment requires a corenetwork (EPC) (including MME and the like) to change a TA through thecell for performing tracking area update (TAU). The core network updatesthe TA based on an identification number (such as a UE-ID) of the userequipment transmitted from the user equipment together with a TAUrequest signal. The core network updates the TA, and then transmits theTAU received signal to the user equipment. The user equipment rewrites(updates) the TAC (or TAC list) of the user equipment with the TAC ofthe cell. After that, the user equipment enters the idle state operationin the cell.

In the LTE and universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), theintroduction of a closed subscriber group (CSG) cell is studied. Asdescribed above, access is allowed for only one or a plurality of userequipments registered with the CSG cell. The CSG cell and one or aplurality of user equipments registered therewith constitute one CSG. Aspecific identification number referred to as CSG-ID is added to thethus constituted CSG. Note that one CSG may contain a plurality of CSGcells. After being registered with any one of the CSG cells, the userequipment can access another CSG cell of the CSG to which the CSG cell,with which the user equipment has been registered, belongs.

Alternatively, the Home-eNB in the LTE or the Home-NB in the UMTS isused as the CSG cell in some cases. The user equipment registered withthe CSG cell has a whitelist. Specifically, the whitelist is stored inthe subscriber identity module (SIM)/USIM. The CSG information of theCSG cell with which the user equipment has been registered is stored inthe whitelist. Specific examples of the CSG information include CSG-ID,tracking area identity (TAI) and TAC. Any one of the CSG-ID and TAC isadequate as long as they are associated with each other. Alternatively,GCI is adequate as long as the CSG-ID and TAC are associated with globalcell identity (GCI).

As can be seen from the above, the user equipment that does not have awhitelist (including a case where the whitelist is empty in the presentinvention) is not allowed to access the CSG cell but is allowed toaccess the non-CSG cell only. On the other hand, the user equipmentwhich has a whitelist is allowed to access the CSG cell of the CSG-IDwith which registration has been performed as well as the non-CSG cell.

3GPP discusses that all physical cell identities (PCIs) are split(referred to as PCI-split) into ones reserved for CSG cells and theothers reserved for non-CSG cells (see Non-Patent Document 5). Further,3GPP discusses that the PCI split information is broadcast in the systeminformation from the base station to the user equipments being servedthereby. Non-Patent Document 5 discloses the basic operation of a userequipment by PCI split. The user equipment that does not have the PCIsplit information needs to perform cell search using all PCIs (forexample, using all 504 codes). On the other hand, the user equipmentthat has the PCI split information is capable of performing cell searchusing the PCI split information.

Further, 3GPP has determined that the PCIs for hybrid cells are notcontained in the PCI range for CSG cells (see Chapter 10.7 of Non-PatentDocument 1).

The HeNB and HNB are required to support various services. For example,an operator causes the predetermined HeNB and HNB to register userequipments therein and permits only the registered user equipments toaccess the cells of the HeNB and HNB, which increases radio resourcesavailable for the user equipments and enables high-speed communication.In the above-mentioned service, the operator sets a higher accountingfee compared with normal service.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned service, the closed subscribergroup (CSG) cell accessible only to the registered (subscribed ormember) user equipments is introduced. It is required to deploy a largenumber of closed subscriber group (CSG) cells in shopping malls,apartment buildings, schools, companies and the like. For example, theCSG cells are required to be deployed for each store in shopping malls,for each room in apartment buildings, for each classroom in schools, andfor each section in companies in such a manner that only the users whohave registered with the respective CSG cells are permitted to use thoseCSG cells. The HeNB/HNB is required not only to complement thecommunication outside the coverage of the macro cell but also to supportvarious services as described above. This leads to a case where theHeNB/HNB is deployed within the coverage of the macro cell.

As one of the techniques to be studied in LTE-A, heterogeneous networks(HetNet) are added. 3GPP handles low-output-power network nodes in alocal-area range (local area range nodes, local area nodes and localnodes), such as pico eNB (pico cell), node for hotzone cells,HeNB/HNB/CSG cell, relay node and remote radio head (RRH). Accordingly,it is required to deploy networks in which one or more of theabove-mentioned local area range nodes are incorporated in a normal eNB(macro cell). The networks in which one or more of the above-mentionedlocal area range nodes are incorporated in a normal eNB (macro cell) arereferred to as heterogeneous networks, where the interference reductionmethod, capacity enhancement method and the like are studied.

Currently, 3GPP discusses energy saving of an infrastructure. Thefollowing is specifically discussed. A base station or cell employed asa capacity booster monitors a traffic load, and is capable of beingswitched off if the state in which a traffic falls below a giventhreshold continues for a certain period (see Non-Patent Document 8). Ina case where the load of an operating base station is high, the basestation is capable of requesting a base station that has been switchedoff to be switched on (see Non-Patent Document 8). A base stationcapable of being switched off is a cell that provides basic coverage andbasic capacity (see Non-Patent Document 9).

A problem to be solved in the first embodiment is described below.Non-Patent Document 8 considers the cells that provide basic coverageand basic capacity. Typically, the cells that provide basic coverage andbasic capacity are regarded as wide-area eNBs (see Non-Patent Document10). From the above, network nodes in a local area range are not takeninto consideration in Non-Patent Document 8. This leads to a problemthat energy consumption of network nodes in a local area range cannot bereduced in a conventional technology.

Hereinafter, a network node in a local area range is referred to as alocal eNB for the sake of convenience. Conceivable examples of the widearea eNBs include a normal eNB (macro cell). The local eNB correspondsto a local base station device. The local eNB being a local base stationdevice has relatively small output power. A wide-area eNB being awide-area base station device, for example, normal eNB (macro cell) hasrelatively large output power. In other words, the output power of alocal eNB is smaller than the output power of a wide-area eNB.

Non-Patent Document 8 defines that energy consumption is reduced bymeans of an X2 interface. On the other hand, as described above, theHeNB being one of local eNBs does not support an X2 interface (seeChapter 4.6.1 of Non-Patent Document 1). This leads to a problem thatenergy consumption of a HeNB cannot be reduced in the method disclosedin Non-Patent Document 8.

Further, in a case where the method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 8is applied to the situation of FIG. 13, a problem described belowarises. FIG. 13 is a location diagram illustrating the problem ofNon-Patent Document 8. A local eNB 1303 is deployed near the boundary ofa coverage 1302 of a macro cell 1301, that is, near a cell edge. A userequipment 1305 exists within a coverage 1304 of the local eNB 1303. Theuser equipment 1305 exists outside the coverage 1302 of the macro cell1301, that is, out of service of the macro cell 1301. The user equipment1305 is in an idle state and camps on the local eNB 1303.

The user equipment 1305 being in an idle state does not affect thetraffic of the local eNB 1303. Therefore, even in a case where the userequipment 1305 camps on the local eNB 1303, if a state in which atraffic of the local eNB 1303 falls below a given threshold continuesfor a certain period, the local eNB 1303 can be switched off. In a casewhere the local eNB 1303 is switched off, the user equipment 1305 is outof service thereof, leading to a problem that the user equipment 1305cannot receive the service as a mobile communication system.

In a case where the load of an operating base station, which is themacro cell 1301 in FIG. 13, is high, the base station is capable ofrequesting the base station that has been switched off, which is thelocal eNB 1303 in FIG. 13, to be switched on. However, the userequipment 1305 is located outside the coverage of the macro cell 1301,and further, is in an idle state. Accordingly, the load of the macrocell 1301 does not become high due to the existence of the userequipment 1305. That is, the local eNB 1303 is not switched on due tothe existence of the user equipment 1305. This causes a problem that thesituation in which the user equipment 1305 cannot receive the service asa mobile communication system continues.

A solution in the first embodiment is described below. In the presentembodiment, the local eNB supports energy saving. Specific examples ofthe method of achieving support for energy saving are described below.Three specific examples of a trigger to shift from an operation in anormal state to an energy saving operation are disclosed below. Theoperation of reducing energy consumption is referred to as an energysaving operation, and the state of this operation is referred to as anenergy saving operation state. The operation in a normal state isreferred to as a normal operation, and the state of this operation isreferred to as a normal operation state.

(1) A case where a user equipment being in a connected state with alocal eNB does not exist for a predetermined period. Specifically, acase where a user equipment in a connected state does not exist to beserved by a local eNB for a certain period, or a case where only a userequipment in an idle state exists to be served by a local eNB for acertain period.

(2) A case where an instruction to turn off the power for thetransmission operation and reception operation of a local eNB isprovided. Specifically, a case where the power of a local eNB is turnedoff, specifically, a case where a power switch is turned off.Alternatively, a case where energy saving is turned on, specifically, acase where an energy saving switch is turned on.

(3) A case where a shift to an energy saving operation is instructed byanother node. An X2 interface, S1 interface or backhaul link can be usedfor this instruction.

As a specific example of the energy saving operation, the operation oftransmitting a downlink transmission signal being a signal to betransmitted to a user equipment is stopped, and an operation ofreceiving an uplink transmission signal being a signal to be transmittedfrom a user equipment is performed. That is, the transmission operationis turned off, whereas the reception operation is turned on. This isdifferent from switch-off disclosed in Non-Patent Document 8 in that thereception operation is turned on. Further, turning-on the receptionoperation in the energy saving operation enables to use a specificexample of a trigger to shift from an energy saving operation to anormal operation, (1) “a case where a local eNB receives uplinktransmission from a user equipment”, which is described below.

As a specific example of turning off a transmission operation, thetransmission of user data and control data is turned off. Specificexamples of the control data include control data associated with userdata (specifically, such as Ack/Nack), data used in cell search by auser equipment, broadcast information, and paging. If a user equipmentin a connected state does not exist to be served, it is not required totransmit the user data and the control data associated with the userdata. Meanwhile, even if a user equipment in a connected state does notexist to be served, it is required to transmit the data used for cellsearch by a user equipment, broadcast information, and paging.Therefore, turning off the transmission of the data used in cell searchby a user equipment, broadcast information, and paging in the energysaving operation is effective for reducing energy consumption.

In LTE and LTE-A, it is required to transmit the SS and RS used in cellsearch by a user equipment, the PBCH and PDCCH used for transmission ofbroadcast information, and the PDCCH used for transmission of paging,periodically. Accordingly, turning off the transmission of the data usedin cell search by a user equipment, broadcast information, and paging iseffective for reducing energy consumption.

As a specific example of turning on a reception operation, uplinktransmission from a user equipment, specifically, an uplink transmissionsignal transmitted from a user equipment is received. Two specificexamples of a trigger to shift from an energy saving operation to anormal operation are disclosed below.

(1) A case where a local eNB receives uplink transmission from a userequipment.

(2) A case where a local eNB receives a predetermined signal, forexample, a paging signal from a backhaul. In this case, the backhaul isnot only a backhaul link for a relay node, but also a wired backhaullink for a pico cell or femto cell (HeNB).

This is different from the switching on of a local eNB during an energysaving operation in accordance with the load of an operating basestation, which is disclosed in Non-Patent Document 8, in that a shift toa normal operation is performed upon reception of uplink transmissionfrom a user equipment or reception of a paging signal from a backhaul.

Three specific examples of the uplink transmission from a user equipmentare disclosed below.

(1) Resources in which uplink transmission is allowed for a userequipment are discrete in time. For this reason, a local eNB does notrequire continuous reception but only requires discontinuous receptionfor receiving the uplink transmission signal (hereinafter, also referredto as an “uplink signal”) through the energy saving operation. Thediscontinuous reception operation in an energy saving operation is moreeffective for reducing energy consumption compared with the continuousreception operation.

(2) The resources in which transmission is allowed have a cycle in time.This does not require the notification of the resources in whichfrequent transmission to a user equipment is allowed. As a result, radioresources can be effectively used.

(3) Frequency allocation of the resources in which transmission isallowed is determined. This enables to reduce the processing loads of auser equipment and a local eNB.

In LTE and LTE-A, the PRACH can be used for uplink transmission from theuser equipment.

As described above, the resources in which uplink transmission isallowed are discrete in time, which requires a reception operation onlyat that timing in the reception operation in an energy saving operation.That is, it is not required to continuously turn on the receptionoperation in an energy saving operation. This is effective for reducingenergy consumption. This reception operation is also referred to as adiscontinuous reception operation at times.

A specific example of the configuration used for the uplink transmissionby a user equipment is disclosed below. The configuration used in theuplink transmission is made per local eNB that performs energy saving.This results in that a local eNB is only required to performdiscontinuous reception using configuration parameters for uplinktransmission of the own cell during energy saving. Accordingly, anenergy saving operation with a high degree of freedom can be achieved ina local eNB.

Two specific examples of the method in which a user equipment acquiresthe configuration used for the uplink transmission by a user equipmentare disclosed below.

(1) A user equipment is notified of the configuration used for theuplink transmission from a serving cell.

(2) In a case where a local eNB is a HeNB, when a user equipment isregistered with the CSG to which the HeNB belongs, the user equipment isnotified of the configuration used for uplink transmission of the HeNB.Specific examples of the notification method include the notificationfrom a network together with the notification of a whitelist that is setby an owner of a HeNB and is notified from the HeNB.

The specific example (1) of the method in which a user equipmentacquires the configuration used for uplink transmission is furtherdisclosed below. R3-093387 by 3GPP (hereinafter, referred to as“Non-Patent Document 11”) discloses that the RACH configuration isnotified between eNBs by means of an X2 interface for a self organizednetwork (SON). Meanwhile, an X2 interface is not supported by the HeNBthat is one of local eNBs as described above (see Chapter 4.6.1 ofNon-Patent Document 1). This causes a problem that the RACHconfiguration cannot be notified by the method disclosed in Non-PatentDocument 11.

In the first embodiment, a local eNB notifies a neighboring node of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the own cell by meansof an S1 interface. Disclosed below is a specific example of the methodin which a local eNB determines a neighboring node to be notified of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the own cell.

A neighboring node to be notified of the configuration parameter foruplink transmission of the own cell by a local eNB is determined basedon the measurement results of the surrounding radio environment of thelocal eNB. Specific examples of the surrounding radio environmentinclude the measurement results of a neighboring cell. Specific examplesof the measurement results of a neighboring cell include the receptionquality, received power and path loss.

If the reception quality or received power of a certain node is equal toor larger than a certain threshold (or is larger than a threshold) inthe measurement results of a surrounding radio environment, a local eNBselects that node as a node to be notified of the configurationparameter for uplink transmission of the own cell. Alternatively, if thepath loss of a certain node is smaller (or is equal to or smaller) thana certain threshold in the measurement results of a surrounding radioenvironment, a local eNB selects that node as a node to be notified ofthe configuration parameter for uplink transmission of the own cell. Oneor a plurality of nodes may be notified of the configuration parameterfor uplink transmission of the own cell. The selection of a node to benotified of the configuration parameter for uplink transmission of theown cell by the above-mentioned method enables to select a neighboringnode. As a result, the local eNB is not required to notify anunnecessary node of the configuration parameter for uplink transmissionof the own cell, which reduces the processing load thereof.

The node that has been notified of the configuration parameter foruplink transmission of a local eNB notifies a user equipment beingserved thereby of that information. Two specific examples of thenotification method are disclosed below. (1) The information is notifiedin the broadcast information. (2) The information is notified by adedicated signal.

Specific examples of notifying the information with the use of thebroadcast information in LTE and LTE-A are disclosed below. The RACHconfiguration is used. Two specific examples in a case where the RACHconfiguration is used are disclosed below.

(1) The RACH configuration for a serving cell, that is, for a node thathas been notified of a configuration parameter for uplink transmissionof a local eNB and the RACH configuration for a local eNB are providedin the current RACH configuration.

(2) The uplink transmission configuration for shifting a local eNBduring an energy saving operation to a normal operation is providedapart from the current RACH configuration.

Two specific examples of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission are disclosed below.

(1) Resources in which uplink transmission is allowed. Specific examplesof the resources are a time resource and a frequency resource, and timeresources, which are the RACH configuration in LTE and LTE-A. Further,specific examples thereof include “RACH-ConfigCommon” and “PRACH-config”(see TS36.331 V9.0.0 by 3GPP (hereinafter, referred to as “Non-PatentDocument 12”)).

(2) Uplink frequency information. Uplink frequency information availablebetween a local eNB and a user equipment being served thereby. Specificexamples of the uplink frequency information include a carrierfrequency, a frequency band, and a component carrier. In LTE and LTE-A,they are “freqInfo”, “ul-CarrierFreq”, and “ul-Bandwidth” (seeNon-Patent Document 12).

The component carrier is described below. It is considered in the LTE-Asystem that frequency bandwidths larger than the frequency bandwidths(transmission bandwidths) of the LTE system are supported (see Chapter 5of TR36.814 V1.5.0 by 3GPP (hereinafter, referred to as “Non-PatentDocument 13”). Therefore, a user equipment supporting LTE-A isconsidered to simultaneously perform reception on one or a plurality ofcomponent carriers (CCs). A user equipment supporting LTE-A isconsidered to have the capability for carrier aggregation tosimultaneously perform reception and transmission on a plurality ofcomponent carriers, only perform reception on those, or onlytransmission on those.

Typically, a user equipment receives downlink transmission of a basestation, specifically, a downlink transmission signal transmitted from abase station to synchronize with the frequency of a base station basedon the received downlink transmission. This function is referred to asautomatic frequency control (AFC). In a case where a user equipmentperforms uplink transmission to a local eNB during an energy savingoperation for shifting the local eNB to a normal operation, a problemdescribed below arises. In the first embodiment, a transmissionoperation is turned off as the energy saving operation of a local eNB.Accordingly, in a case where a user equipment performs AFC, there is nodownlink transmission of a base station, based on which a user equipmentperforms AFC. This raises the issue about how to execute AFC by a userequipment.

Three specific solutions in the first embodiment are disclosed below.

(1) A user equipment receives downlink transmission (downlink) of aserving cell and executes AFC at the frequency of the downlinktransmission. The user equipment sets the frequency of the uplink of theuser equipment to the uplink frequency information available between alocal eNB and a user equipment being served thereby. The user equipmentperforms uplink transmission to a local eNB during an energy savingoperation with the use of the uplink frequency for shifting the localeNB to a normal operation. This enables a user equipment to execute AFCon a local eNB during an energy saving operation.

(2) A local eNB during an energy saving operation receives downlinktransmission (downlink) of a serving cell and executes AFC at thefrequency of the downlink transmission. A local eNB sets the frequencyof the local eNB for receiving uplink from a user equipment to theuplink frequency available between a local eNB and a user equipmentbeing served thereby. A local eNB receives uplink transmission from auser equipment using this frequency. A local eNB may perform the AFCoperation before receiving uplink transmission from a user equipment.Specific examples of the uplink transmission from a user equipmentinclude uplink transmission for shifting a local eNB during an energysaving operation to a normal operation.

(3) (1) and (2) described above are used in combination. In this case,the frequency of a user equipment and the frequency of a local eNBcoincide with each other with higher accuracy than the case where (1) or(2) is used singly. This enables to achieve an effect that thecommunication quality of uplink from a user equipment to a local eNB isimproved.

Next, four specific examples of the situation in which a user equipmentperforms uplink transmission (hereinafter, also referred to as uplinktransmission for wakeup) for shifting a local eNB during an energysaving operation to a normal operation are disclosed below.

(1) A case where the reception quality of a serving cell deteriorates ora case where a cell that can serve as a serving cell does not exist. Forexample, in a case where a local eNB during an energy saving operationexists at the cell edge of a serving cell, the local eNB shifts to anormal operation upon wakeup uplink transmission from a user equipment.Upon this, handover is performed from a serving cell to the local eNB orcell reselection to the local eNB is performed, so that the userequipment is capable of continuously receiving the service of a mobilecommunication system.

(2) A case where conditions of RACH transmission in a conventionaltechnology are satisfied. As a specific example, a case where TAUtransmission or a service request from a user equipment is made (alsoreferred to as a call at times).

(3) Periodically.

(4) A case where a user makes an operation.

A specific example of the judging method in the (1) case where thereception quality of a serving cell deteriorates is disclosed below.Based on the measurement results of a user equipment, in a case wherethe reception quality (such as received power or SIR) of a serving cellfalls below (or may be equal to or smaller than or be smaller than) athreshold (hereinafter, also referred to as a wakeup uplink transmissionthreshold at times), it is judged that wakeup uplink transmission isperformed. Alternatively, based on the measurement results of a userequipment, in a case where the reception quality (such as path loss) ofa serving cell exceeds (may be equal to or larger than or be largerthan) a threshold (hereinafter, also referred to as a wakeup uplinktransmission threshold at times), it is judged that wakeup uplinktransmission is performed.

Two specific examples of the method of notifying a user equipment of thewakeup uplink transmission threshold are disclosed below.

(1) A serving cell notifies a user equipment being served thereby of thewakeup uplink transmission threshold. The broadcast information isconceivable as an example of the notification method. This is effectivebecause a user equipment being served by a serving cell can be notifiedirrespective of a state. In addition, a threshold can be changed easily,which enables to build a flexible mobile communication system. In LTEand LTE-A, the wakeup uplink transmission threshold can be used incombination with a neighboring cell measurement start threshold(Sintrasearch) (see Chapter 5.2.4.2 of Non-Patent Document 3). As aresult, parameters can be reduced, and radio resources can beeffectively used.

(2) The wakeup uplink transmission threshold is determined in a staticmanner. This does not require a notification to a user equipment usingradio resources, so that radio resources can be effectively used.

Disclosed below are two specific examples of the situation in which,particularly when a local eNB is a HeNB, a user equipment performsuplink transmission (wakeup uplink transmission) for shifting a localeNB during an energy saving operation to a normal operation.

Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that the method of cellselection/reselection to CSG cells is based on an autonomous searchfunction. Non-Patent Document 3 discloses that a user equipment uses anautonomous search function for searching for a CSG cell being a“suitable cell” at a frequency different from a serving frequency.Further, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses that a user equipment supportsmanual selection of CSG cells. It is disclosed that if the CSG whitelistconfigured in a user equipment is empty, the autonomous search functionof CSG cells by a user equipment is disabled.

(1) In manual selection of a CSG cell. As a specific example, wakeupuplink transmission is performed before the measurement for selection.Accordingly, even in a case where a HeNB performing an energy savingoperation exists in the neighborhood of a user equipment, the HeNB iscaused to shift to a normal operation. Therefore, it is possible toperform CSG cell selection where the HeNB is included as a target.

(2) While an autonomous search function is in operation, wakeup uplinktransmission is performed periodically. Accordingly, even in a casewhere a HeNB performing an energy saving operation exists in theneighborhood of a user equipment, the HeNB is caused to shift to anormal operation. Therefore, it is possible to perform CSG cellselection where the HeNB is included as a target. Even in a case wherethe configuration is made as described above, an autonomous searchfunction becomes inoperative in a case where the CSG whitelistconfigured in the user equipment is empty. Upon this, uplinktransmission for releasing an energy saving operation of a HeNB isstopped. Accordingly, an effect that unnecessary uplink transmission iseliminated can be achieved. The CSG whitelist is also referred to as anallowed CSG list (allowed CSG ID list) in some cases.

As described above, conceivable examples of local eNBs include pico eNB(pico cell), node for hotzone cells, HeNB/HNB/CSG cell, relay node, andremote radio head (RRH). A trigger to shift from an energy savingoperation to a normal operation may vary from type to type of a localeNB. Alternatively, wakeup uplink transmission may vary from type totype of a local eNB. Still alternatively, a situation in which a userequipment performs uplink transmission (wakeup uplink transmission) forshifting a local eNB during an energy saving operation to a normaloperation may vary from type to type of a local eNB.

As a specific example, as to a relay node, the situation in which wakeupuplink transmission is performed may be a case where the receptionquality of a serving cell deteriorates. As to a HeNB, the situation inwhich uplink transmission for wakeup is performed may be such thatuplink transmission for wakeup is performed periodically while anautonomous search function is in operation. This enables to perform anoptimum energy saving operation per type of a local eNB.

While the first embodiment above has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thefirst embodiment if a serving cell is a local eNB, so that similareffects to those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

While the first embodiment has described the case where the node thatperforms an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the first embodiment if the node thatperforms an energy saving operation is a wide-area eNB, where similareffects to those of the first embodiment can be achieved.

The first embodiment can be used in combination with a conventionaltechnology of reducing energy consumption disclosed in, for example,Non-Patent Document 8.

A specific operation example in which the first embodiment is used isdescribed with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG. 15. FIG. 14 is a locationdiagram illustrating a solution of the first embodiment. The portions ofFIG. 14 corresponding to those of FIG. 13 are denoted by the samereference numerals, which are not described. A user equipment 1401exists within the coverage 1302 of the macro cell 1301, that is, existswithin the service area of the macro cell 1301.

Next, description is given of a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in which the solution of the first embodiment isused with reference to FIG. 15. FIG. 15 illustrates a sequence exampleof a mobile communication system in a case where the solution of thefirst embodiment is used. In this operation example, a case where aserving cell is the macro cell 1301 is described.

In Step ST1501, the local eNB 1303 determines a neighboring node to benotified of the configuration parameter for uplink transmission. Aspecific example of the determining method is as described above. Inthis operation example, the macro cell 1301 is selected as one of theneighboring nodes to be notified of the configuration parameter foruplink transmission.

In Step ST1502, the local eNB 1303 notifies the macro cell 1301 of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the own cell, thatis, the local eNB 1303. A specific example of the configurationparameter for uplink transmission is as described above. While aspecific example of the uplink transmission is as described above, thePRACH is used as a specific example of the uplink transmission in thisoperation example. Therefore, the RACH configuration of the local eNB1303 is used as a specific example of the configuration parameter foruplink transmission. Alternatively, the uplink frequency informationavailable between a local eNB and a user equipment being served therebymay be notified as the configuration parameter for uplink transmission.

In Step ST1503, the local eNB 1303 judges the presence or absence of atrigger to shift from a normal operation to an energy saving operation.A specific example of the shift trigger is as described above. In a caseof judging that there is a trigger to shift to an energy savingoperation, the local eNB 1303 moves to Step ST1504. In a case of judgingthat there is no trigger to shift to an energy saving operation, thelocal eNB 1303 repeats the judgment of Step ST1503.

In Step ST1504, the local eNB 1303 shifts to an energy saving operation.As a specific example of the energy saving operation, the transmissionoperation is turned off and the reception operation is turned on asdescribed above.

In Step ST1505, the local eNB 1303 starts discontinuous reception. As aspecific example, the local eNB 1303 starts discontinuous reception forreceiving uplink transmission with the RACH configuration of the localeNB 1303.

The same effect can be obtained if the process of Step ST1502 isperformed after the process of Step ST1503, after the process of StepST1504, or after the process of Step ST1505.

In Step ST1506, the macro cell 1301 being a serving cell notifies userequipments being served thereby of the RACH configuration of the owncell, that is, the macro cell 1301. The user equipments (UEs) beingserved by the macro cell 1301 include the user equipment 1401.

In Step ST1507, the macro cell 1301 notifies user equipments beingserved thereby of the RACH configuration of the local eNB 1303 receivedin Step ST1502. Alternatively, the macro cell 1301 may notify the uplinkfrequency information available between a local eNB and user equipmentsbeing served thereby. The information indicating whether or not thelocal eNB is in an energy saving operation may be included. The userequipments being served by the macro cell 1301 include the userequipment 1401.

In Step ST1508, the user equipment 1401 judges whether or not to performuplink transmission for wakeup. A specific example of the situation inwhich uplink transmission for wakeup is performed is as described above.In this operation example, the situation in which uplink transmissionfor wakeup is performed is the case where the reception quality of aserving cell deteriorates. As a specific example, the user equipment1401 judges whether or not the reception quality of the macro cell 1301being a serving cell (hereinafter, also referred to as “serving cell1301”) falls below the wakeup uplink transmission threshold. In a casewhere the reception quality of the serving cell 1301 falls below thewakeup uplink transmission threshold, the user equipment 1401 moves toStep ST1509. In a case where the reception quality of the serving cell1301 does not fall below the wakeup uplink transmission threshold, theuser equipment 1401 repeats the judgment of Step ST1508.

In Step ST1509, the user equipment 1401 performs RACH transmission asuplink transmission for wakeup. The user equipment may be allowed toperform uplink transmission to a local eNB that cannot be detected inthe measurements of neighboring cells by the user equipment 1401. In theRACH transmission, the user equipment 1401 transmits the RACH with theuse of the RACH configuration of the local eNB 1303 that has beenreceived in Step ST1507. Alternatively, the user equipment 1401 maytransmit the RACH with the use of the uplink frequency available betweena local eNB and user equipments being served thereby that has beenreceived in Step ST1507. Still alternatively, as described above, theuser equipment 1401 may perform AFC on a local eNB with the use ofdownlink transmission of the macro cell 1301 and transmit the RACH.

In Step ST1510, the local eNB 1303 judges the presence or absence of atrigger to shift from an energy saving operation to a normal operation.A specific example of the shift trigger is as described above. In thisoperation example, a specific example of the shift trigger is the casewhere the local eNB 1303 receives uplink transmission from the userequipment 1401. The local eNB 1303 judges whether or not it has receivedthe RACH as uplink transmission for wakeup. The local eNB 1303 moves toStep ST1511 in a case of judging that it has received the RACH. Thelocal eNB 1303 repeats the judgment of Step ST1510 in a case of judgingthat it has not received the RACH.

In Step ST1511, the local eNB 1303 shifts to a normal operation.

The first embodiment described above achieves an effect described below.According to the first embodiment, it is possible to perform an energysaving operation in a local eNB, which reduces energy consumption of aninfrastructure in a mobile communication system.

In a conventional technology of Non-Patent Document 8, a reduction inenergy consumption of an infrastructure using an X2 interface isdefined. The first embodiment discloses the method of reducing energyconsumption of an infrastructure in which an X2 interface is not used.This enables to reduce energy consumption also in a HeNB that does notsupport an X2 interface. It is required to deploy a large number ofHeNBs as described above, and thus, a reduction in energy consumption ofa HeNB is conducive to a reduction in energy consumption of the entiremobile communication system.

In the first embodiment, a local eNB during an energy saving operationcan be shifted to a normal operation without using the load of a networkdisclosed in a conventional technology of Non-Patent Document 8. Thatis, a local eNB during an energy saving operation can be shifted to anormal operation irrespective of a position (location) of a userequipment, or irrespective of a state of a user equipment.

Accordingly, also in a location as shown in FIG. 13 that causes aproblem in a case where a conventional technology of Non-Patent Document8 is used, it is possible to turn on the local eNB 1303, that is, toshift the local eNB 1303 to a normal operation. This solves a problemthat the user equipment 1305 cannot receive the service as a mobilecommunication system.

The present embodiment has disclosed that a transmission operation isturned off and the reception operation is turned on as the energy savingoperation. This only requires to collectively turn off power supply of atransmission unit of a local eNB but turn on the power supply of only areception unit during an energy saving operation. Therefore, it becomeseasier to design hardware for performing an energy saving operation.

First Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a first modification of the first embodimentis described. Even in a case where the solution of the first embodimentis executed, two problems described below arise if a large number oflocal eNBs exist in the neighborhood of a macro cell.

(1) The configuration parameters for uplink transmission of local eNBs,which are notified from the local eNB to the macro cell, increase. Thatis, the types of the configuration parameters for uplink transmission oflocal eNBs, which are notified from the macro cell to user equipmentsbeing served thereby, increase. This increases the amount of informationof the configuration parameters for uplink transmission of the localeNB, which are notified from the macro cell to user equipments beingserved thereby. Accordingly, a problem that a large amount of radioresources needs to be used arises.

(2) The types of the configuration parameters for uplink transmissionfor uplink transmission for wakeup, which is performed by a userequipment, increase. Therefore, a user equipment needs to perform uplinkconfiguration for an amount of the types and perform uplink transmissionfor the amount of the types. This increases the processing load of auser equipment, causing a problem that the energy consumption of a userequipment increases.

The problem of the first modification of the first embodiment isdescribed again with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG. 16. FIG. 16 is alocation diagram illustrating the problem of the first modification ofthe first embodiment. The portions of FIG. 16 corresponding to those ofFIG. 13 and FIG. 14 are denoted by the same reference numerals, whichare not described. A plurality of local eNBs, specifically, a local eNB1601, a local eNB 1603, a local eNB 1605, and a local eNB 1607 aredeployed near the boundary of the coverage 1302 of the macro cell 1301,that is, near the cell edge. The local eNB 1601 has a coverage 1602. Thelocal eNB 1603 has a coverage 1604. The local eNB 1605 has a coverage1606. The local eNB 1607 has a coverage 1608.

A sequence example of a mobile communication system in a case where thefirst embodiment is executed with the location as shown in FIG. 16 isdescribed with reference to FIG. 15. In Step ST1501, not only the localeNB 1303 but also the local eNB 1601, the local eNB 1603, the local eNB1605 and the local eNB 1607 select the macro cell 1301 as a neighboringnode to be notified of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission.

In Step ST1502, the local eNB 1303 notifies the macro cell 1301 of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the local eNB 1303.In Step ST1502, the local eNB 1601 notifies the macro cell 1301 of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the local eNB 1601.In Step ST1502, the local eNB 1603 notifies the macro cell 1301 of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the local eNB 1603.In Step ST1502, the local eNB 1605 notifies the macro cell 1301 of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the local eNB 1605.In Step ST1502, the local eNB 1607 notifies the macro cell 1301 of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the local eNB 1607.

In Step ST1507, the macro cell 1301 notifies user equipments (includingthe user equipment 1401) being served thereby of the RACH configurationsof the local eNB 1303, local eNB 1601, local eNB 1603, local eNB 1605,and local eNB 1607 that have been received in Step ST1502. In thismanner, the amount of information of the configuration parameters foruplink transmission of local eNBs increases, causing a problem that alarge amount of radio resources needs to be used.

In Step ST1508, the user equipment 1401 judges whether or not to performuplink transmission for wakeup and, in a case of judging to performuplink transmission for wakeup, performs uplink transmission for wakeupin Step ST1509. The RACH configurations of the local eNB 1303, local eNB1601, local eNB 1603, local eNB 1605, and local eNB 1607 that have beenreceived in Step ST1507 are used as the configuration parameters for theuplink transmission for wakeup.

In this case, the user equipment 1401 is located within the coverage1304 of the local eNB 1303 but is not located within the coverage 1602of the local eNB 1601, the coverage 1604 of the local eNB 1603, thecoverage 1606 of the local eNB 1605, and the coverage 1608 of the localeNB 1607. Therefore, it suffices that uplink transmission for wakeup isperformed in the location of the user equipment 1401 only with the useof the RACH configuration of the local eNB 1303. This is because theuser equipment 1401 cannot receive the service of a mobile communicationsystem from the local eNB 1603 even if the local eNB 1603 shifts from anenergy saving operation to a normal operation.

However, the transmission operation is turned off as the energy savingoperation of the local eNB, and accordingly, the user equipment 1401cannot judge of which local eNB that the own user equipment is locatedwithin the coverage. This requires the user equipment 1401 to performuplink transmission for wakeup in Step ST1509 with the use of the RACHconfigurations of the local eNB 1303, local eNB 1601, local eNB 1603,local eNB 1605, and local eNB 1607 that have been received in StepST1507. As a result, it is required to perform uplink configuration foran amount of the types (five types in the case of FIG. 16) and performuplink transmission as many times as the types (five times in the caseof FIG. 16). This increases the processing load of the user equipment1401, causing a problem that energy consumption of the user equipment1401 increases.

The solution in the first modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. A part different from the solution of the firstembodiment is mainly described. A part that is not described is similarto the first embodiment.

In the present modification, the configuration used for uplinktransmission when a user equipment performs uplink transmission forwakeup is used together with the configuration used for uplinktransmission of a serving cell. A local eNB performs an energy savingoperation based on the configuration used for uplink transmission of aserving cell. A local eNB may perform discontinuous reception during anenergy saving operation so as to receive the resources in whichtransmission is allowed in the configuration used for uplinktransmission of the serving cell.

As a result, a serving cell is not required to notify user equipmentsbeing served thereby of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission of a local eNB. This enables to effectively use radioresources. In addition, this reduces the processing load of a servingcell. Further, it is possible to reduce the types of configurationparameters for uplink transmission for uplink transmission for wakeupperformed by a user equipment. This reduces the processing load of auser equipment and reduces energy consumption of a user equipment.

(A1) and (A2) below are disclosed as two specific examples of the methodin which a local eNB acquires the configuration used for uplinktransmission (configuration parameter for uplink transmission) of theserving cell.

(A1) Non-Patent Document 11 discloses that the RACH configuration isnotified by means of an X2 interface between eNBs for a self organizednetwork (SON). Meanwhile, an X2 interface is not supported in a HeNBthat is one of local eNBs as described above (see Chapter 4.6.1 ofNon-Patent Document 1). Therefore, a problem that a HeNB cannot benotified of the RACH configuration arises in the method disclosed inNon-Patent Document 11. In the first modification of the firstembodiment, a serving cell notifies a neighboring node of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the own cell by meansof an S1 interface.

(A2) A local eNB measures a surrounding radio environment ininitialization, turning-on of power or turning-off of transmission attimes. Specific examples of the surrounding radio environment includethe measurement results of neighboring cells. In measuring neighboringcells, a local eNB receives the broadcast information, decodes thebroadcast information, acquires the configuration used for uplinktransmission (configuration parameter for uplink transmission) of aneighboring cell included in the broadcast information, and stores theconfiguration used for uplink transmission of the neighboring cell. Themeasurement, reception of the broadcast information, and storage of theconfiguration used for uplink transmission of a neighboring cell may beperformed by a local eNB having the capability to perform an energysaving operation, not by all local eNBs.

(B1) and (B2) below are disclosed as specific examples of the method inwhich a serving cell determines a neighboring node to be notified of theconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission of the own cell in acase of using the specific example of the method (A1) in which the localeNB acquires the configuration used for uplink transmission(configuration parameter for uplink transmission) of the serving cell.One or a plurality of nodes may be notified of the configurationparameter for uplink transmission of the own cell. The selection of anode to be notified of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission of the own cell by the above-mentioned method enables toselect a neighboring node. This eliminates the need to notify even anunnecessary node of the configuration parameter for uplink transmissionof the own cell, whereby the processing load of a serving cell isreduced.

(B1) A neighboring node to be notified of the configuration parameterfor uplink transmission of a serving cell is determined based on themeasurement results of a surrounding radio environment of the own cell.Specific examples of the surrounding radio environment include themeasurement results of a neighboring cell. Specific examples of themeasurement results of a neighboring cell include the reception quality,received power and path loss. If the reception quality or received powerof a certain node is equal to or larger than a certain threshold (or islarger than a threshold) in the measurement results of a surroundingradio environment, a serving cell selects that node as a node to benotified of the configuration parameter for uplink transmission of theown cell. Alternatively, if the path loss of a certain node is smaller(or is equal to or smaller) than a certain threshold in the measurementresults of a surrounding radio environment, a serving cell selects thatnode as a node to be notified of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission of the own cell.

(B2) A neighboring node to be notified of the configuration parameterfor uplink transmission of a serving cell is determined based on themeasurement results of a user equipment being served by the own cell. Asa specific example, if the reception quality or received power of acertain node is equal to or larger than a certain threshold (or islarger than a threshold), a serving cell selects that node as a node tobe notified of the configuration parameter for uplink transmission ofthe own cell. Alternatively, if the path loss of a certain node issmaller (or is equal to or smaller) than a certain threshold in themeasurement results of a surrounding radio environment, a serving cellselects that node as a node to be notified of the configurationparameter for uplink transmission of the own cell.

(C) described below is disclosed as a specific example of the method inwhich a local eNB determines a neighboring cell for which the local eNBreceives the broadcast information, decodes the broadcast information,and stores the configuration used for uplink transmission (configurationparameter for uplink transmission) in a case of using the specificexample of the method (A2) in which the local eNB acquires theconfiguration used for uplink transmission (configuration parameter foruplink transmission).

(C) A neighboring cell is determined based on the measurement results ofa surrounding radio environment of the local eNB. Specific examples ofthe surrounding radio environment include the measurement results ofneighboring cells. Specific examples of the measurement results of aneighboring cell include the reception quality, received power and pathloss.

If a node has the reception quality or received power equal to or largerthan a certain threshold (or larger than a threshold) in the measurementresults of a surrounding radio environment, a local eNB selects thatcell as a neighboring cell for which the local eNB receives thebroadcast information, decodes the broadcast information, and stores theconfiguration used for uplink transmission (configuration parameter foruplink transmission). Meanwhile, if a node has the path loss smallerthan (or equal to or smaller than) a certain threshold in themeasurement results of a surrounding radio environment, the local eNBselects that cell as a neighboring cell for which the local eNB receivesthe broadcast information, decodes the broadcast information, and storesthe configuration used for uplink transmission (configuration parameterfor uplink transmission).

It may be one or a plurality of neighboring cells for which the localeNB receives the broadcast information, decodes the broadcastinformation, and stores the configuration used for uplink transmission.The selection of a neighboring cell for which the local eNB receives thebroadcast information, decodes the broadcast information, and stores theconfiguration used for uplink transmission by the above-mentioned methodenables to select a neighboring cell. This eliminates the need tounnecessarily receive the broadcast information of a neighboring cell,decode the broadcast information thereof, and store the configurationused for uplink transmission thereof, whereby the processing load of alocal eNB is reduced.

Two specific examples of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission are disclosed below.

(1) Resources in which uplink transmission is allowed. Specific examplesof the resources are a time resource and a frequency resource, or timeresources, which are the RACH configurations in LTE and LTE-A. Further,specific examples thereof include “RACH-ConfigCommon” and “PRACH-config”(see Non-Patent Document 12).

(2) Uplink frequency information. Uplink frequency information availablebetween a serving cell and a user equipment being served thereby.Specific examples of the uplink frequency information include a carrierfrequency, a frequency band, and a component carrier. In LTE and LTE-A,they are “freqInfo”, “ul-CarrierFreq” and “ul-Bandwidth” (see Non-PatentDocument 12).

Three specific examples of the method of performing AFC in the firstmodification of the first embodiment are disclosed below.

(1) A user equipment receives downlink transmission (downlink) of aserving cell and executes AFC at the frequency of the downlinktransmission. The user equipment sets the frequency of the uplink of theuser equipment to the uplink frequency information available between aserving cell and a user equipment being served thereby. In order toshift a local eNB during an energy saving operation to a normaloperation, the user equipment performs uplink transmission to the localeNB with the use of the frequency of the uplink. This enables a userequipment to perform AFC.

(2) A local eNB during an energy saving operation receives downlinktransmission (downlink) of a serving cell and executes AFC at thefrequency of the downlink transmission. The local eNB sets the frequencyof the local eNB for receiving uplink from a user equipment to theuplink frequency information available between a serving cell and a userequipment being served thereby. The local eNB receives uplinktransmission from a user equipment using the frequency. The local eNBmay perform the AFC operation before receiving uplink transmission froma user equipment. Specific examples of the uplink transmission from auser equipment include uplink transmission for shifting a local eNBduring an energy saving operation to a normal operation.

(3) (1) and (2) described above are used in combination. In this case,the frequency of a user equipment and the frequency of a local eNBcoincide with each other with higher accuracy than the case where (1) or(2) is used singly. This enables to achieve an effect that thecommunication quality of uplink from user equipment to a local eNB isimproved.

Next, four specific examples of a situation in which a user equipmentperforms uplink transmission for wakeup are disclosed below.

(1) A case where the reception quality of a serving cell deteriorates ora case where a cell that can serve as a serving cell does not exist. Forexample, in a case where a local eNB during an energy saving operationexists at the cell edge of a serving cell, the local eNB shifts to anormal operation upon wakeup uplink transmission from a user equipment.Upon this, handover is performed from a serving cell to the local eNB orcell reselection is performed to the local eNB, so that the userequipment is capable of continuously receiving the service of a mobilecommunication system.

(2) A case where conditions of RACH transmission in a conventionaltechnology are satisfied. As a specific example, a case where TAUtransmission or a service request from a user equipment is made (alsoreferred to as a call at times). The local eNB receives normal uplinktransmission from a user equipment being served by a serving cell to theserving cell. The local eNB that has received the uplink transmissionjudges that a user equipment exists near the own cell, and then shiftsfrom the energy saving operation to the normal operation. Specificexamples of the uplink transmission include the PRACH. As a specificexample of the judgment, if the reception quality or received power inuplink transmission from a user equipment is equal to or larger than acertain threshold (or is larger than a threshold), a local eNB judgesthat a user equipment exists near the own cell. Meanwhile, if the pathloss in uplink transmission from a user equipment is equal to or smallerthan a certain threshold (or is smaller than a threshold), a local eNBjudges that a user equipment exists near the own cell.

(3) Periodically.

(4) A case where a user makes an operation.

A specific operation example in which the first modification of thefirst embodiment is used is described with reference to FIG. 16 and FIG.17. FIG. 16 being a location diagram illustrating the solution of thefirst modification of the first embodiment is as described above, whichis not described. FIG. 17 illustrates a sequence example of a mobilecommunication system in a case where the solution of the firstmodification of the first embodiment is used. The portions of FIG. 17corresponding to those of FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers,and the processes thereof are not described in detail.

This operation example discloses a case of using the specific example ofthe method (2) in which a local eNB acquires the configuration used foruplink transmission (configuration parameter for uplink transmission) ofa serving cell. While the description is given of the local eNB 1303 asan example of the local eNB, a similar operation is performed for thelocal eNB 1601, local eNB 1603, local eNB 1605, and local eNB 1607.

In Step ST1701, the local eNB 1303 measures neighboring cells. In StepST1702, the local eNB 1303 determines a neighboring cell of whichconfiguration parameter for uplink transmission the local eNB 1303stores. A specific example of the determination method is as follows. Inthe location shown in FIG. 16, the local eNB 1303 selects the macro cell1301 as a neighboring cell of which configuration parameter for uplinktransmission the local eNB 1303 stores.

In Step ST1703, the local eNB 1303 stores the configuration parameterfor uplink transmission of a neighboring cell that has been determinedin Step ST1702. In the location shown in FIG. 16, the local eNB 1303stores the configuration parameter for uplink transmission of the macrocell 1301. Then, the local eNB 1303 performs the processes of StepST1503 and Step ST1504.

In Step ST1704, the local eNB 1303 starts discontinuous reception. As aspecific example, the local eNB 1303 starts discontinuous reception forreceiving uplink transmission with the configuration parameter (as aspecific example, RACH configuration) for uplink transmission of themacro cell 1301 that has been stored in Step ST1703. Then, the macrocell 1301 performs the process of Step ST1506, and the user equipment1401 performs the process of Step ST1508.

In Step ST1705, the user equipment 1401 performs RACH transmission. Inthe RACH transmission, the user equipment 1401 transmits the RACH withthe use of the configuration parameter for uplink transmission of themacro cell 1301 that has been stored in Step ST1703. Alternatively, theuser equipment 1401 may transmit the RACH with the use of the uplinkfrequency available between the macro cell 1301 and a user equipmentbeing served thereby, which has been stored in Step ST1703. Next, thelocal eNB 1303 performs the processes of Step ST1510 and Step ST1511.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thefirst modification of the first embodiment if the serving cell is alocal eNB, where similar effects to those of the first modification ofthe first embodiment can be achieved.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the first modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the first modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The first modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

Even if a large number of local eNBs exist in the neighborhood of amacro cell, the macro cell does not need to notify user equipments beingserved thereby of the configuration parameters for uplink transmissionof the local eNBs. This enables to effectively use radio resources. Inaddition, the processing load of a serving cell can be reduced.

The transmission operation is turned off as the energy saving operationof a local eNB, and accordingly, it is possible to reduce the types ofthe configuration parameters in uplink transmission for uplinktransmission for wakeup even in a case where a user equipment cannotjudge of which local eNB that the own user equipment is located withinthe coverage. This reduces the processing load of a user equipment andreduces energy consumption of a user equipment.

Second Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a second modification of the first embodimentis described. Even in a case where the solutions of the first embodimentand the first modification of the first embodiment are executed, aproblem described below arises if base stations, for example, macrocells are densely deployed.

It is conceivable that the configuration parameters for uplinktransmission of macro cells, which are notified from macro cells to alocal eNB, will increase. Alternatively, it is conceivable thatneighboring cells that store the configuration parameters for uplinktransmission, which are selected by the local eNBs, will increase.

The local eNB has no way to acquire that a user equipment which performsuplink transmission for wakeup uses which macro cell to perform uplinktransmission for wakeup with the use of the configuration parameter foruplink transmission. Therefore, the local eNB needs to perform an energysaving operation with the use of the plurality of notified configurationparameters for uplink transmission of macro cells or with the use of theplurality of stored configuration parameters for uplink transmission ofmacro cells. This makes the energy saving operation of a local eNBinefficient, causing a problem that energy consumption is not reducedefficiently.

The above-mentioned problem becomes particularly noticeable in a casewhere among the configuration parameters for uplink transmission, timeresources in which uplink transmission is allowed, or time resources inwhich uplink transmission is allowed have different cycles. This isbecause the local eNB during an energy saving operation is required toturn on the reception operation at that time of time for receivinguplink transmission for wakeup in which the plurality of configurationparameters for uplink of macro cells are used.

The problem of the second modification of the first embodiment isdescribed again with reference to FIG. 17 and FIG. 18. FIG. 18 is alocation diagram illustrating the problem of the second modification ofthe first embodiment. A macro cell 1801 has a coverage 1802. A macrocell 1803 has a coverage 1804. A macro cell 1805 has a coverage 1806. Alocal eNB 1807 has a coverage 1808. The local eNB 1807 is deployed nearthe cell edges of the macro cell 1801, macro cell 1803, and macro cell1805. A user equipment 1809 exists within the coverage 1804 of the macrocell 1803.

A sequence example of a mobile communication system in a case where thefirst modification of the first embodiment is executed in the locationas shown in FIG. 18 is described with reference to FIG. 17. In StepST1702, not only the macro cell 1801, but also the macro cell 1803 andthe macro cell 1805 are selected by the local eNB 1807 as neighboringcells of which configuration parameters for uplink transmission thelocal eNB 1807 stores.

In Step ST1704, the local eNB 1807 starts discontinuous reception. As aspecific example, the local eNB 1807 starts discontinuous reception forreceiving uplink transmission with the configuration parameters (as aspecific example, RACH configurations) for uplink transmission of themacro cell 1801, macro cell 1803, and macro cell 1805 that have beenstored in Step ST1703.

It is required to perform an energy saving operation with the use of aplurality of configuration parameters for uplink transmission of macrocells as described above. This makes the energy saving operation of alocal eNB inefficient, causing a problem that energy consumption is notreduced efficiently. In this case, the problem becomes particularlynoticeable in a case where, for example, the time resource in whichuplink transmission is allowed with the configuration parameter foruplink transmission differs among the macro cell 1801, macro cell 1803,and macro cell 1805, or the cycle of the time resource in which uplinktransmission is allowed differs thereamong. This is because the localeNB 1807 is required to turn on the reception operation at the differenttimes.

The solution in the second modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

The configuration for uplink transmission for wakeup is providedseparately. Two specific examples of the method of separately providingsuch a configuration are disclosed below.

(1) A specific configuration parameter is selected from the existingconfiguration parameters used for uplink transmission that aredetermined in accordance with the standards. This configuration is theconfiguration used for uplink transmission in a case where a userequipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup.

(2) The configuration used for uplink transmission (configurationparameter for uplink transmission) in a case where a user equipmentperforms uplink transmission for wakeup is newly provided. Hereinafter,this configuration is also referred to as uplink transmission for localeNB wakeup at times. Hereinafter, a signal transmitted based on theconfiguration of the uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup is alsoreferred to as uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup or RACH forlocal eNB wakeup at times. One type or a plurality of types of theconfigurations in uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup may beprovided. As a specific example, a new preamble sequence may beprovided. As a specific example, a new physical resource on afrequency-time axis may be provided. The new physical resource on afrequency-time axis may be added to “PRACH Configuration Index”.

The configuration for uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup isprovided separately as described above, whereby the types ofconfiguration parameters for uplink transmission that are used by a userequipment performing uplink transmission for wakeup do not increase evenin a case where base stations, for example, macro cells are denselydeployed. This eliminates the need to perform an energy saving operationwith the use of a large number of configuration parameters for uplinktransmission of macro cells. This enables to efficiently perform anenergy saving operation, which efficiently reduces energy consumption.

Two specific examples of the method in which a user equipment acquiresthe configuration for uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup(configuration parameter for uplink transmission) are disclosed below.

(1) The configuration is determined in a static manner. As a specificexample, the configuration is determined in accordance with thestandards.

(2) Each base station notifies user equipments being served thereby ofthe configuration for uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup(configuration parameter for uplink transmission) currently used. Thetwo specific examples of the notification method are as follows. (1) Theconfiguration is notified in the broadcast information. (2) Theconfiguration is notified by a dedicated signal.

A specific operation example in which the second modification of thefirst embodiment is used is described with reference to FIG. 18 and FIG.19. First, FIG. 18 being a location diagram illustrating the solution inthe second modification of the first embodiment is as described above,which is not described. FIG. 19 illustrates a sequence example of amobile communication system in a case where the solution of the secondmodification of the first embodiment is used. The portions of FIG. 19corresponding to those of FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers,and the processes thereof are not described in detail.

This operation example discloses the case where the above-mentionedspecific example (1) of the method in which a user equipment acquiresthe configuration for uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup(configuration parameter for uplink transmission) is used.

The local eNB 1807 performs the processes of Step ST1503 and StepST1504. Next, in Step ST1901, the local eNB 1807 starts discontinuousreception. As a specific example, the local eNB 1807 startsdiscontinuous reception for receiving uplink transmission with theconfiguration for uplink transmission for local eNB wakeup(configuration parameter for uplink transmission) that has beendetermined in a static manner. Then, the macro cell 1803 being a servingcell performs the process of Step ST1506, and the user equipment 1809performs the process of Step ST1508.

In Step ST1902, the user equipment 1809 performs RACH transmission onthe local eNB 1807. In the RACH transmission, the user equipment 1809transmits the RACH using the configuration for uplink transmission forlocal eNB wakeup (configuration parameter for uplink transmission) thathas been determined in a static manner. Then, the local eNB 1807performs the processes of Step ST1510 and Step ST1511.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thesecond modification of the first embodiment if the serving cell is alocal eNB, where similar effects to those of the second modification ofthe first embodiment can be achieved.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the second modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the second modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The second modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment andthe first modification of the first embodiment.

Even in a case where base stations, for example, macro cells are denselydeployed, there is no increase in the types of configuration parametersfor uplink transmission used by a user equipment that performs uplinktransmission for wakeup.

Further, if a local eNB has no way to acquire a macro cell, within thecoverage of which a user equipment that performs uplink transmission forwakeup is located, there is no need to perform an energy savingoperation with the use of a large number of configuration parameters foruplink transmission of macro cells. This enables to efficiently performan energy saving operation and efficiently reduce energy consumption.

Third Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a third modification of the first embodimentis described. Even in a case where the solution of the first embodimentis executed, a problem described below arises in a case where a localeNB performing an energy saving operation does not exist in theneighborhood of a user equipment.

If the condition in which a user equipment performs uplink transmissionfor wakeup is satisfied, which has been disclosed in the firstembodiment, the user equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeupeven though a local eNB during an energy saving operation does not existin the neighborhood thereof. Accordingly, the following two problemsarise.

(1) Through the uplink transmission, a user equipment performsunnecessary uplink transmission which is performed in the case that alocal eNB that shifts from an energy saving operation to a normaloperation does not exist. As a result, some radio resources becomeunnecessary, leading to a problem that unnecessary uplink interferencearises.

(2) A user equipment needs to perform unnecessary uplink transmission inwhich a local eNB that shifts from an energy saving operation to anormal operation does not exist. This causes a problem that theprocessing load of a user equipment increases and energy is consumedunnecessarily.

A solution in the third modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

In a case of judging that a local eNB exists in the neighborhood, a userequipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup. Alternatively, in acase of judging that a local eNB having the capability to execute anenergy saving operation exists in the neighborhood, a user equipmentperforms uplink transmission for wakeup. Still alternatively, in a caseof judging that a local eNB performing an energy saving operation, thatis, a local eNB in an energy saving operation state exists in theneighborhood, a user equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup.

As a specific example of the method in which a user equipment judgeswhether or not a local eNB exists in the neighborhood, there is a methodin which a serving cell notifies user equipments being served thereby ofthe information regarding whether or not a local eNB exists in theneighborhood thereof.

Specific examples of the information regarding whether or not a localeNB exists in the neighborhood include (1) information regarding whetheror not a local eNB exists, (2) information indicating that a local eNBexists, and (3) information indicating that a local eNB does not exist.The user equipment that has received any information among (1) to (3)cannot judge whether or not a local eNB is in an energy saving operationbut can reduce unnecessary uplink transmission for wakeup from a userequipment that is performed in a case where a local eNB does not existin the neighborhood.

As a specific example of the method in which a user equipment judgeswhether or not a local eNB having the capability to execute an energysaving operation exists in the neighborhood, there is the method inwhich a serving cell notifies user equipments being served thereby ofthe information regarding whether or not a local eNB having thecapability to execute an energy saving operation exists in theneighborhood.

Specific examples of the information regarding whether or not a localeNB having the capability to execute an energy saving operation existsin the neighborhood include (1) information regarding whether or not alocal eNB having the capability to execute an energy saving operationexists, (2) information indicating that a local eNB having thecapability to execute an energy saving operation exists, and (3)information indicating that a local eNB having the capability to executean energy saving operation does not exist. The user equipment that hasreceived any information among (1) to (3) cannot judge whether or not alocal eNB is in an energy saving operation but can reduce unnecessaryuplink transmission for wakeup from a user equipment that is performedin a case where a local eNB having the capability to execute an energysaving operation does not exist in the neighborhood.

As a specific example of the method in which a user equipment judgeswhether or not a local eNB during an energy saving operation exists inthe neighborhood, there is a method in which a serving cell notifiesuser equipments being served thereby of the information regardingwhether or not a local eNB during an energy saving operation exists inthe neighborhood.

Specific examples of the information regarding whether or not a localeNB during an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood include(1) information regarding whether or not a local eNB during an energysaving operation exists, (2) information indicating that a local eNBduring an energy saving operation exists, and (3) information indicatingthat a local eNB during an energy saving operation does not exist. Theuser equipment that has received any information among (1) to (3) canreduce unnecessary uplink transmission for wakeup from a user equipmentthat is performed in a case where a local eNB during an energy savingoperation does not exist in the neighborhood.

Disclosed below are two specific examples of the method in which aserving cell notifies user equipments being served thereby of theinformation regarding whether or not a local eNB exists in theneighborhood, the information regarding whether or not a local eNBhaving the capability to execute an energy saving operation exists inthe neighborhood, or the information regarding whether or not a localeNB during an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood. (1)The information is notified in the broadcast information. (2) Theinformation is notified by a dedicated signal.

In a case where the first embodiment is applied, “user equipment beingserved thereby is notified of the RACH configuration of the local eNB1303 that has been received in Step ST1502” in Step ST1507 shown in FIG.15, so that the user equipment can be notified of the “informationregarding whether or not a local eNB during an energy saving operationexists in the neighborhood” as well. The “user equipment being servedthereby is notified of the RACH configuration of the local eNB 1303 thathas been received in Step ST1502” in Step ST1507, which enables tonotify the information indicating that a local eNB during an energysaving operation exists as well.

Disclosed below is a specific example of the method in which a servingcell acquires whether or not a local eNB exists in the neighborhood. Thelocal eNB notifies neighboring cells of its deployment. An S1 interface,X2 interface or backhaul link can be used for this notification. Aspecific example of the method in which a local eNB determines “aneighboring cell to be notified of the deployment is similar to “themethod in which a local eNB determines a neighboring cell that receivesthe broadcast information, decodes the broadcast information, and storesthe configuration used for uplink transmission (configuration parameterfor uplink transmission)” of the first modification of the firstembodiment, which is not described.

Disclosed below is a specific example of the method in which a servingcell acquires whether or not a local eNB having the capability toexecute an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood. In a caseof being deployed, a local eNB notifies neighboring cells of theinformation regarding whether or not it has the capability to execute anenergy saving operation.

Specific examples of the information regarding whether or not a localeNB having the capability to execute an energy saving operation include(1) information regarding whether or not a local eNB has the capabilityto execute an energy saving operation, (2) information indicating that alocal eNB has the capability to execute an energy saving operation, and(3) information indicating that a local eNB does not have the capabilityto execute an energy saving operation. An S1 interface, X2 interface orbackhaul link can be used for the notification of any information among(1) to (3). In a case where a local eNB is deployed, a specific exampleof the method in which the local eNB determines a neighboring cell to benotified of the information regarding whether or not the local eNB hasthe capability to execute an energy saving operation is similar to “themethod in which a local eNB determines a neighboring cell that receivesthe broadcast information, decodes the broadcast information, and storesthe configuration used for uplink transmission (configuration parameterfor uplink transmission)” of the first modification of the firstembodiment, which is not described.

(A) and (B) below are disclosed as two specific examples of the methodin which a serving cell acquires whether or not a local eNB during anenergy saving operation exists in the neighborhood.

(A) A local eNB notifies neighboring cells of the information regardingwhether or not it is during an energy saving operation. Specificexamples of the information regarding whether or not a local eNB isduring an energy saving operation include (1) information indicating thestart of an energy saving operation, (2) information indicating that anenergy saving operation has ended, (3) information indicating whether ornot a local eNB is during an energy saving operation, (4) informationindicating that a local eNB is during an energy saving operation, and(5) information indicating that a local eNB is not during an energysaving operation.

Non-Patent Document 9 discloses that when a base station is switchedoff, other base stations are notified of the switch-off by means of anX2 interface. Meanwhile, an X2 interface is not supported in a HeNB thatis one of local eNBs as descried above (see Chapter 4.6.1 of Non-PatentDocument 1). Therefore, a problem that a HeNB cannot be notified ofswitch-off arises in the method disclosed in Non-Patent Document 9. Inthe third modification of the first embodiment, neighboring nodes arenotified of the information regarding whether or not a local eNB isduring an energy saving operation by means of an X2 interface or S1interface.

A specific example of the method in which a local eNB determines aneighboring cell to be notified of the information regarding whether ornot it is during an energy saving operation is similar to “the method inwhich a local eNB determines a neighboring cell that receives thebroadcast information, decodes the broadcast information, and stores theconfiguration used for uplink transmission (configuration parameter foruplink transmission)” of the first modification of the first embodiment,which is not described.

Considered here is a case where, when the first embodiment is applied,the local eNB 1303 judges the presence or absence of a trigger to shiftfrom a normal operation to a energy saving operation in Step ST1503shown in FIG. 15 described above and, after judging the presence of atrigger, executes the process of Step ST1502 to notify the macro cell1301 of the configuration parameter for uplink transmission of the localeNB 1303. That is, the case where Step ST1502 is performed after judging“YES” in Step ST1503, after Step ST1504, or after Step ST1505 isconsidered.

In this case, the “information regarding whether or not the local eNB1303 is during an energy saving operation” can be notified with the“macro cell 1301 is notified of the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission of the local eNB 1303” in Step ST1502. The (1) informationindicating the start of an energy saving operation or the (4)information indicating that the local eNB 1303 is during an energysaving operation can be notified with the “macro cell 1301 is notifiedof the configuration parameter for uplink transmission of the local eNB1303” in Step ST1502.

(B) There is newly provided a paging signal to a local eNB during anenergy saving operation from a serving cell. A serving cell receives aresponse signal (Ack signal) to the paging signal from a local eNBduring an energy saving operation, to thereby acquire that a local eNBduring an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood.

Disclosed below is a specific example of the paging signal from aserving cell to a local eNB during an energy saving operation. Acarrier, which is used in a paging signal from a serving cell to a localeNB during an energy saving operation, is disclosed. The paging signaluses the same carrier as the downlink carrier available between aserving cell and a user equipment being served thereby or the samecomponent carrier (CC) as the CC available between a serving cell and auser equipment being served thereby.

Considered here is a case where a local eNB uses the same downlinkcarrier or the same CC as that of the serving cell in downlinktransmission to a user equipment being served thereby. In that case, alocal eNB cannot receive a downlink signal from a serving cell due to atransmission signal thereof becoming an interference source(hereinafter, also referred to as self-interference). Meanwhile, thepresent invention discloses that a local eNB turns off a transmissionoperation in an energy saving operation. Therefore, for example, thesame carrier as the downlink carrier available between a serving celland a user equipment being served thereby can be used in a paging signalfor a local eNB during an energy saving operation.

The same carrier as a normal downlink carrier available between aserving cell and a user equipment being served thereby can be used for apaging signal for a local eNB during an energy saving operation, whichenables to newly provide a paging signal for the local eNB during anenergy saving operation while suppressing an increase in processing loadof the serving cell.

Disclosed below are two specific examples of an identifier (RNTI) usedfor a local eNB to receive a paging signal from a serving cell to alocal eNB during an energy saving operation.

(1) A user equipment uses an identifier for receiving a paging signalfrom a serving cell.

(2) An identifier is newly provided, which is used for a local eNB toreceive a paging signal from a serving cell to a local eNB during anenergy saving operation (hereinafter, also referred to as P-RNTI_localeNB). In LTE and LTE-A, a user equipment performs an operation below forreceiving a paging channel (PCH) (see Chapter 5.5 of TS36.321 V9.1.0 by3GPP (hereinafter, referred to as “Non-Patent Document 14”)).

In a case where PCH assignment is received on the PDCCH for thepaging-RNTI (P-RNTI), a user equipment attempts to decode the PCH mappedon the PDSCH, as indicated by the PDCCH assignment information. Notethat the system has one P-RNTI, which is fixed (see Chapter 7.1 ofNon-Patent Document 14). Therefore, when an identifier used for a localeNB to receive a paging signal from a serving cell to the local eNBduring an energy saving operation is made identical to a conventionalidentifier (P-RNTI) used for a user equipment to receive a paging signalfrom a serving cell, even in a case of the same paging signal for alocal eNB during an energy saving operation, user equipments beingserved by the same serving cell need to attempt to decode the PCH.

The P-RNTI_local eNB is provided differently from the P-RNTI, whereby itis possible to prevent user equipments being served by the same servingcell from attempting to decode the PCH in response to a paging signalfor a local eNB during an energy saving operation. This prevents anincrease in processing load of a user equipment, to thereby prevent anincrease in energy consumption. One P-RNTI_local eNB may be provided asa system. Alternatively, the P-RNTI_local eNB may be determined in astatic manner as a system. This achieves an effect that the assignmentto a local eNB is not required.

A specific example of a transmission timing of a paging signal from aserving cell to a local eNB during an energy saving operation isdisclosed below.

(1) Transmission timings are discrete in time. For this reason, a localeNB receives a paging signal for the local eNB during an energy savingoperation through the energy saving operation, which does not requirecontinuous reception but requires only discontinuous reception. Thediscontinuous reception operation in an energy saving operation is moreeffective for reducing energy consumption compared with the continuousreception operation.

(2) The resources in which transmission is allowed have a cycle in time.This does not require the notification of the resources in whichfrequent transmission to a local eNB is allowed. The transmission timingof a paging signal from a serving cell to a local eNB during an energysaving operation is made identical to the time resource in which uplinktransmission for wakeup is allowed, which leads to further energysaving. The cycle of the transmission timing of a paging signal from aserving cell to a local eNB during an energy saving operation is madeidentical to the cycle of the time resource in which uplink transmissionfor wakeup is allowed, which further reduces energy consumption.

Disclosed below is a specific example of the method of transmitting aresponse signal (Ack signal) to the paging signal by a local eNB duringan energy saving operation in response to the paging signal.

A response signal may be notified by means of a backhaul link, S1interface, or X2 interface.

The response signal uses the same carrier as the uplink carrieravailable between a user equipment being served by a serving cell andthe serving cell or the same CC as the CC available between a userequipment being served by a serving cell and the serving cell.Accordingly, a serving cell is only required to perform a receptionoperation using one carrier, which achieves an effect that theprocessing load of the serving cell is reduced. This is effective alsoin increasing the frequency use efficiency. In the case where the firstmodification of the first embodiment is used, the uplink frequencyinformation used for uplink transmission for wakeup from a userequipment is identical to the uplink frequency information used in theresponse signal. This results in that the same frequency is used betweenthe operation of transmitting a response signal by a local eNB and theoperation of receiving uplink transmission for wakeup. As a result,self-interference may arise in a local eNB, and the uplink transmissionfor wakeup may fail due to the deteriorated reception quality. Asolution to the problem is described below. The timing of the operationof transmitting a response signal is made different from the timing ofthe operation of receiving uplink transmission for wakeup. This enablesto prevent the occurrence of self-interference in a local eNB.

Next, disclosed below are five specific examples of the situation inwhich a user equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup in a casewhere the user equipment judges that a local eNB exists in theneighborhood, judges that a local eNB having the capability to executean energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood, or judges that alocal eNB during an energy saving operation, that is, a local eNB in anenergy saving operation state exists in the neighborhood.

(1) A case where the reception quality of a serving cell deteriorates ora case where a cell that can serve as a serving cell does not exist. Forexample, in a case where a local eNB during an energy saving operationexists at the cell edge of a serving cell, the local eNB shifts to anormal operation upon wakeup uplink transmission from a user equipment.Upon this, handover is performed from a serving cell to the local eNB orcell reselection is performed to the local eNB, so that the userequipment is capable of continuously receiving the service of a mobilecommunication system.

(2) A case where the conditions of RACH transmission in a conventionaltechnology are satisfied. As a specific example, a case where TAUtransmission or a service request from a user equipment is made (alsoreferred to as a call at times).

(3) Periodically.

(4) A case where a user makes an operation.

(5) A case where, in measuring a neighboring cell for cell selection, inmeasuring a neighboring cell for cell reselection, or in measuring aneighboring cell for handover, a neighboring cell that applies to thefollowing is detected: a neighboring cell with a local eNB existing inthe neighborhood; a neighboring cell with a local eNB having thecapability to execute an energy saving operation existing in theneighborhood; or a neighboring cell with a local eNB during an energysaving operation existing in the neighborhood. In this case, it sufficesthat a user equipment receives and decodes the broadcast information ofa neighboring cell in measuring a neighboring cell, to thereby obtainthe information regarding whether or not a local eNB exists in theneighborhood, the information regarding whether or not a local eNBhaving the capability to execute an energy saving operation exists inthe neighborhood, or the information regarding whether or not a localeNB during an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood.

A specific operation example in which the third modification of thefirst embodiment is used is described with reference to FIG. 14 and FIG.20. First, FIG. 14 being a location diagram illustrating the solution ofthe third modification of the first embodiment is as described above,which is not described. FIG. 20 illustrates a sequence example of amobile communication system in a case where the solution of the thirdmodification of the first embodiment is used. The portions of FIG. 20corresponding to those of FIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers,and the processes thereof are not described in detail.

This operation example describes the case where a user equipmentperforms uplink transmission for wakeup in a case of judging that alocal eNB during an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood.The method in which a serving cell acquires whether or not a local eNBduring an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood isdescribed regarding the specific example (B).

The local eNB 1303 performs the processes of Step ST1501, Step ST1502,Step ST1503, and Step ST1504. Next, in Step ST2001, the local eNB 1303starts discontinuous reception. As a specific example, the local eNB1303 starts discontinuous reception for receiving uplink transmissionwith the RACH configuration of the local eNB 1303. At the same time, thelocal eNB 1303 starts discontinuous reception for receiving a pagingsignal from a serving cell to a local eNB during an energy savingoperation. That is, even during an energy saving operation, the localeNB 1303 performs reception at the transmission timing at which bothsignals are allocated, or with the time resource.

In Step ST2002, the macro cell 1301 being a serving cell transmits, tothe local eNB 1303, a paging signal for a local eNB during an energysaving operation.

In Step ST2003, the local eNB 1303 judges whether or not it has receiveda paging signal to a local eNB during an energy saving operation fromthe macro cell 1301. In a case where the local eNB 1303 has received apaging signal to the local eNB during an energy saving operation, thelocal eNB 1303 moves to Step ST2004. In a case where the local eNB 1303has not received a paging signal to the local eNB during an energysaving operation, the local eNB 1303 repeats the judgment of StepST2003.

In Step ST2004, the local eNB 1303 transmits, to the macro cell 1301, aresponse signal (Ack signal) to the paging signal to the local eNBduring an energy saving operation.

In Step ST2005, the macro cell 1301 judges whether or not it hasreceived the response signal to the paging signal to the local eNBduring an energy saving operation. In a case where the macro cell 1301has received the response signal, the macro cell 1301 moves to StepST2006. In a case where the macro cell 1301 has not received theresponse signal, the macro cell 1301 moves to Step ST2007.

In Step ST2006, the macro cell 1301 judges that a local eNB during anenergy saving operation exists in the neighborhood.

In Step ST2007, the macro cell 1301 judges that a local eNB during anenergy saving operation does not exist in the neighborhood, and returnsto Step ST2002.

In Step ST2008, the macro cell 1301 notifies the user equipment 1401 ofthe information indicating that a local eNB during an energy savingexists in the neighborhood. Then, the macro cell 1301 performs theprocesses of Step ST1506 and Step ST1507.

In Step ST2009, the user equipment 1401 judges whether or not a localeNB during an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood. In acase of judging that such a local eNB exists, the user equipment 1401moves to Step ST1508. In a case of judging that such a local eNB doesnot exist, the user equipment 1401 repeats the judgment of Step ST2009.Then, the user equipment 1401 performs the processes of Step ST1508 andStep ST1509, and the local eNB 1303 performs the processes of StepST1510 and Step ST1511.

In this operation example, in a case where the user equipment 1401 hasreceived the information indicating that a local eNB during an energysaving operation exists in the neighborhood from the macro cell 1301 inStep ST2008, in Step ST2009, the user equipment 1401 judges that a localeNB during an energy saving operation exists in the neighborhood. On theother hand, in a case where the user equipment 1401 has not received theinformation indicating that a local eNB during an energy savingoperation exists in the neighborhood from the macro cell 1301 in StepST2008, in Step ST2009, the user equipment 1401 judges that a local eNBduring an energy saving does not exist in the neighborhood.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thethird modification of the first embodiment if a serving cell is a localeNB, where similar effects to those of the third modification of thefirst embodiment can be achieved.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the third modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the third modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used also in combination with thefirst modification of the first embodiment and the second modificationof the first embodiment.

The third modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.

In a case of judging that a local eNB exists in the neighborhood, a userequipment can perform uplink transmission for wakeup. Alternatively, ina case of judging that a local eNB having the capability to execute anenergy saving operation exists in the neighborhood, a user equipment canperform uplink transmission for wakeup. Still alternatively, in a caseof judging that a local eNB during an energy saving operation exists inthe neighborhood, a user equipment can perform uplink transmission forwakeup.

Therefore, uplink transmission for wakeup is performed only in a casewhere a local eNB exists in the neighborhood, a local eNB having thecapability to execute an energy saving operation exists in theneighborhood, or a local eNB during an energy saving operation exists inthe neighborhood.

Accordingly, unnecessary uplink transmission can be reduced, such asuplink transmission for wakeup in a case where, for example, a local eNBduring an energy saving operation does not exist in the neighborhood. Asa result, radio resources can be effectively used, which enables toremove unnecessary interference. This also enables to reduce energyconsumption of a user equipment.

Fourth Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a fourth modification of the first embodimentis described. In the case where the solution of the first embodiment isexecuted, a problem below arises in determining the uplink transmissionpower from a user equipment.

Considered here is the case where the solution of the first embodimentis executed and the PRACH is used for uplink transmission from a userequipment in LTE and LTE-A.

TS36.213 V9.0.1 by 3GPP (hereinafter, referred to as “Non-PatentDocument 15”) defines the initial transmission power of the PRACH asexpressed by Equation (1) below.PPRACH=min{Pcmax,PREAMBLE_RECEIVED TARGET_POWER+PL} [dBm]  (1)

In Equation (1), “PL” represents a path loss. “Pcmax” of Equation (1) isdetermined by Equation (2) below, and “PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER”of Equation (1) is defined as expressed in Equation (3) below (seeChapter 5.1.3 of Non-Patent Document 14).Pcmax=min{Pemax,Pumax}  (2)

In Equation (2), “Pemax” is a value that is set per cell and broadcastto a user equipment being served thereby, and “Pumax” is determined fromthe capability of a user equipment.PREAMBLE_RECEIVED_TARGET_POWER=preambleInitialReceivedTargetPower+DELTA_PREAMBLE+(PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER−1)*powerRampingStep  (3)

In Equation (3), “preambleInitialReceivedTargetPower” is a part of theRACH configuration, and “DELTA_PREAMBLE” is determined based on thepreamble format (see Chapter 7.6 of Non-Patent Document 14). Thepreamble format is a part of the RACH configuration.“PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER” represents how many times the preambletransmission has been performed. “powerRampingStep” is a part of theRACH configuration, and “*” represents multiplication “×” (seeNon-Patent Document 12).

In a case where the solution of the first embodiment is executed in LTEand LTE-A, “PL” in Equation (1) and “Pemax” in Equation (2) areundefined in a user equipment, which causes a problem that the userequipment cannot determine the initial transmission power of the PRACH.

R1-094839 by 3GPP (hereinafter, referred to as “Non-Patent Document 16”)discloses the following. Disclosed is the technology in which a servingcell notifies a HeNB within its coverage of the coordination informationof the own cell via a user equipment being connected with the own cell.It is disclosed in such a case that, based on the measurement value ofdownlink reception quality of a HeNB by the user equipment, a servingcell notifies the user equipment of the uplink transmission powerrequired for the notification or the user equipment estimates the uplinktransmission power.

In the first embodiment, meanwhile, a local eNB during an energy savingoperation turns off a transmission operation. That is, a user equipmentcannot measure the downlink reception quality of a local eNB during anenergy saving operation.

Therefore, in the first embodiment, the uplink transmission power cannotbe determined with the technology disclosed in Non-Patent Document 16.

The solution in the fourth modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

First, the solution to “Pemax” is disclosed. A local eNB notifiesneighboring nodes of “Pemax” of the own cell by means of an S1interface, similarly to the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission of the first embodiment. After that, with the methodsimilar to the method for the configuration parameter for uplinktransmission of the first embodiment, a user equipment that transmitsthe PRACH can acquire “Pemax”. A user equipment determines the initialtransmission power of the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup withthe use of the Pemax”.

Next, the solution to “PL” is disclosed. A user equipment uses the pathloss of a serving cell. This enables a user equipment that transmits thePRACH to establish “PL”. The user equipment determines the initialtransmission power of the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup withthe use of this “PL”.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thefourth modification of the first embodiment if a serving cell is a localeNB, where similar effects to those of the fourth modification of thefirst embodiment are achieved.

The present modification has also described the case where the node thatperforms an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the fourth modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the fourth modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, and the third modification of the first embodiment.

The fourth modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. InLTE and LTE-A, a user equipment can determine the initial transmissionpower of the PRACH even in a case where the solution of the firstembodiment is executed and the PRACH is used for uplink transmissionfrom a user equipment.

Fifth Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a fifth modification of the first embodimentis described. Even in the case where the solution of the fourthmodification of the first embodiment is executed, a problem describedbelow arises.

In the fourth modification of the first embodiment, a user equipmentuses the path loss of a serving cell as a demonstration in determiningthe initial transmission power of the PRACH. Accordingly, the initialtransmission power of the PRACH becomes unnecessarily large depending onthe location where a user equipment exists, so that an energy savingoperation of a local eNB of which coverage the user equipment is outsideis released. This causes a problem that energy consumption of a localeNB is not reduced efficiently. Further, the initial transmission powerof the PRACH becomes unnecessarily large depending on a location where auser equipment exists, causing a problem that unnecessary uplinkinterference arises.

The problem of the fifth modification of the first embodiment isdescribed again with reference to FIG. 21. FIG. 21 is a location diagramillustrating the problem of the fifth modification of the firstembodiment. The portions of FIG. 21 corresponding to those of FIG. 13are denoted by the same reference numerals, which are not described.

Considered here is the case where a user equipment 2101 exists at alocation A. The case where the user equipment 2101 transmits the PRACHas uplink transmission for wakeup is considered. The user equipment 2101uses the path loss of a serving cell as a demonstration in determiningthe initial transmission power of the PRACH. The path loss of theserving cell (macro cell) 1301 for the user equipment 2101 positioned atthe location A is measured based on a downlink signal 2102 from theserving cell 1301 to the user equipment 2101. “PL” is added in Equation(1) for obtaining the initial transmission power of the PRACH, which hasbeen disclosed in the fourth modification of the first embodiment. Thisis because a user equipment located farther from the serving cell haslarger path loss “PL”, and accordingly, the uplink signal to the servingcell from the same position similarly requires large transmission poweras well.

The path loss of the serving cell (macro cell) 1301 for the userequipment 2101 positioned at the location A is PL_A. In this case, this“PL_A” is also added to the PRACH initial transmission power as uplinktransmission for wakeup of the user equipment 2101. Accordingly,conceptually, the uplink signal power for wakeup is equal in amount tothe uplink transmission power from the location A to the macro cell1301, as indicated by a PRACH 2103. This enables the local eNB 1303 toreceive the PRACH 2103 as the uplink signal for wakeup transmitted fromthe user equipment 2101 positioned at the location A. The location A isoutside the coverage 1304 of the local eNB 1303. This means that, evenif the local eNB 1303 releases the energy saving operation, the userequipment 2101 cannot receive the service of a mobile communicationsystem via the local eNB 1303. As a result, releasing of the energysaving operation that is unnecessary in a local eNB occurs, causing aproblem that energy consumption is not reduced efficiently.

Considered here is the case where a user equipment 2104 exists at alocation B. The case where the user equipment 2104 transmits the PRACHas uplink transmission for wakeup is considered. The user equipment 2104uses the path loss of a serving cell as a demonstration in determiningthe initial transmission power of the PRACH. The path loss of theserving cell (macro cell) 1301 for the user equipment 2104 positioned atthe location B is measured based on a downlink signal 2105 from theserving cell 1301 to the user equipment 2104.

The path loss of the serving cell (macro cell) 1301 for the userequipment 2104 positioned at the location B is PL_B. In this case, this“PL_B” is also added to the PRACH initial transmission power as uplinktransmission for wakeup of the user equipment 2104. Accordingly,conceptually, the uplink signal power for wakeup is equal in amount tothe uplink transmission power from the location B to the macro cell1301, as indicated by a PRACH 2106. This enables the local eNB 1303 toreceive the PRACH 2106 as the uplink signal for wakeup transmitted fromthe user equipment 2104 positioned at the location B. However,approximately the transmission power of a PRACH 2107 as an uplink signalfor wakeup is sufficient for enabling the local eNB 1303 to receive thePRACH 2106. As a result, the initial transmission power of the PRACHbecomes unnecessarily large, causing a problem that unnecessary uplinkinterference arises.

A solution in the fifth modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. A part different from the solution of the fourthmodification of the first embodiment is mainly described. A part that isnot described is similar to the fourth modification of the firstembodiment.

A fixed value is set as the value of “PL” used in determining theinitial transmission power of the PRACH as uplink transmission forwakeup. Specific examples of the value include a value necessary andsufficient (neither excessively large nor excessively small) for beingreceived by a local eNB in the case where the PRACH as uplinktransmission for wakeup is transmitted from the cell edge of the localeNB. Two specific examples of the value are disclosed below.

(1) A value is determined in a static manner. As a specific example, avalue is determined in accordance with the standards.

(2) A value is determined per local eNB. Each local eNB notifies aserving cell of a value as a configuration parameter for uplinktransmission. Each base station notifies user equipments being servedthereby of a value. Two specific examples of the notification method aredisclosed below. (1) A value is notified in the broadcast information.(2) A value is notified by a dedicated signal.

FIG. 22 is a conceptual diagram in a case where the solution of thefifth modification of the first embodiment is used. The portions of FIG.22 corresponding to those of FIG. 13 and FIG. 21 are denoted by the samereference numerals, which are not described.

A case where the user equipment 2101 exists at the location A isconsidered. In the case of transmitting the PRACH as uplink transmissionfor wakeup, the user equipment 2101 uses a fixed value as “PL” fordetermining the initial transmission power of the PRACH. Considered hereis the case where the fixed value is a value necessary and sufficient(neither excessively large nor excessively small) for being received bya local eNB in a case where the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeupis transmitted from a cell edge of a local eNB. In this case, the fixedvalue “PL” is also added to the PRACH initial transmission power asuplink transmission for wakeup of the user equipment 2101. Accordingly,conceptually, this results in as indicated by a PRACH 2201 as an uplinksignal for wakeup of FIG. 22. Therefore, the local eNB 1303 cannotreceive the PRACH 2201 as an uplink signal for wakeup transmitted fromthe user equipment 2101 positioned at the location A.

The location A is out of the coverage 1304 of the local eNB 1303.Therefore, even if the local eNB 1303 releases an energy savingoperation, the user equipment 2101 cannot receive the service of amobile communication system via the local eNB 1303. According to thepresent modification, a local eNB does not unnecessarily release anenergy saving operation of the local eNB, which solves a problem thatenergy consumption is not reduced efficiently.

A case where the user equipment 2104 exists at the location B isconsidered. In the case of transmitting the PRACH as uplink transmissionfor wakeup, the user equipment 2104 uses a fixed value as “PL” indetermining the initial transmission power of the PRACH. In this case,the fixed value “PL” is also added to the PRACH initial transmissionpower as uplink transmission for wakeup of the user equipment 2104.Accordingly, conceptually, this results in as indicated by a PRACH 2202as an uplink signal for wakeup of FIG. 22. Therefore, the local eNB 1303can receive the PRACH 2202 as an uplink signal for wakeup transmittedfrom the user equipment 2104 positioned at the location B.

The transmission power of the PRACH 2202 as an uplink signal for wakeupdoes not differ from the transmission power of the PRACH 2107 as anuplink signal for wakeup, which is sufficient for being received by thelocal eNB 1303. This prevents the initial transmission power of thePRACH from becoming unnecessarily large, solving the problem thatunnecessary uplink interference occurs.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thefifth modification of the first embodiment if a serving cell is a localeNB, where similar effects to those of the fifth modification of thefirst embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has also described the case where the node thatperforms an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the fifth modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the fifth modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe fourth modification of the first embodiment, which can be used incombination with the first embodiment, the first modification of thefirst embodiment, the second modification of the first embodiment, andthe third modification of the first embodiment.

The fifth modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the fourth modification ofthe first embodiment. It is possible to prevent the initial transmissionpower of the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup from becomingunnecessarily large. This prevents a local eNB from unnecessarilyreleasing an energy saving operation, which efficiently reduces energyconsumption. Further, it is possible to prevent an occurrence ofunnecessary interference.

Sixth Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a sixth modification of the first embodimentis described. The problem described below arises even in a case wherethe first embodiment is used.

Non-Patent Document 15 (Chapter 6.1) discloses a random accessprocedure. The procedure is described with reference to FIG. 23. FIG. 23is a sequence diagram of a mobile communication system, whichillustrates the random access procedure disclosed in Non-Patent Document15.

In Step ST2301, a user equipment (UE) transmits a random access preambleto a base station (eNB) with the PRACH. The initial transmission powerof the PRACH is as described in, for example, the fourth modification ofthe first embodiment.

In Step ST2302, the base station that has received the random accesspreamble transmits a random access response to the user equipment withthe PDCCH. The user equipment needs to receive the PDCCH using therandom access RNTI (RA-RNTI) for checking whether the random accessresponse is included. The RA-RNTI is an identifier used for a userequipment to receive the random access response.

In Step ST2303, the user equipment that has received the random accessresponse transmits scheduled transmission to the base station using thePUSCH allocated to the random access response.

In Step ST2304, the base station that has received the scheduledtransmission transmits a contention resolution to a user equipment. Asdescribed above, the base station needs to receive the PDCCH using theRA-RNTI for judging whether or not the base station has received thePRACH.

The local eNB during an energy saving operation receives the PRACH asuplink transmission for wakeup from the user equipment and shifts to anormal operation to start downlink transmission. However, time isrequired for the user equipment to perform the search operation, forexample, the operation shown in FIG. 12, to thereby detect the localeNB. This causes a problem that the user equipment is highly likely tojudge the reception of a random access response from the local eNB inStep ST2302 of FIG. 23 as a failure.

The serving cell for the user equipment is a cell different from thelocal eNB. The user equipment cannot receive the PDCCH from twodifferent base stations. Therefore, in order to receive the PDCCH onwhich the random access response from the local eNB is mapped, a userequipment needs to execute handover or cell reselection. A userequipment needs to execute handover or cell reselection at the time whenit is not confirmed that a local eNB during energy saving exists in theneighborhood, or even if such a local eNB exists in the neighborhood, itis not confirmed that the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup isreceived successively and the local eNB shifts to a normal operation. Asdescribed above, an unnecessary handover process or unnecessary cellreselection process of a user equipment occurs.

A solution in the sixth modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

A user equipment that has transmitted the PRACH as uplink transmissionfor wakeup is not required to receive a random access response. A basestation does not transmit the random access response with the use of thePDCCH in a case where it has received the PRACH as uplink transmissionfor wakeup.

A base station is configured to distinguish the PRACH as uplinktransmission for wakeup from a conventional PRACH for enabling theabove-mentioned judgment. Specifically, an indicator showing the PRACHas uplink transmission for wakeup is provided in the random accesspreamble. This enables, in receiving a random access preamble in StepST2301 of FIG. 23, the base station to make the above-mentioneddistinction and perform the process of avoiding the transmission of arandom access response.

FIG. 24 shows a sequence example of a mobile communication system in acase where the solution of the sixth modification of the firstembodiment is used. The portions of FIG. 24 corresponding to those ofFIG. 23 are denoted by the same step numbers, which are not described indetail.

In Step ST2301, a user equipment transmits a random access preamble to abase station with the use of the PRACH. In Step ST2401, the base stationthat has received the random access preamble judges whether or not therandom access preamble is uplink transmission for wakeup. In a case ofjudging that the random access preamble is an uplink signal for wakeup,the base station moves to Step ST2402. In a case of judging that therandom access preamble is not an uplink signal for wakeup, the basestation moves to Step ST2302. In Step ST2302, the base station transmitsthe random access response to the user equipment with the use of thePDCCH.

As a specific example of judging the process in Step ST2401, if anindicator showing the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup is mappedin the random access preamble, the random access preamble is judged asuplink transmission for wakeup. On the other hand, if the indicatorshowing the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup is not mapped in therandom access preamble, the random access preamble is not judged as anuplink transmission signal for wakeup.

In Step ST2402, the base station judges whether or not to be during anenergy saving operation. In a case of judging to be during an energysaving operation, the base station moves to Step ST2403. In a case ofjudging not to be during an energy saving operation, the base stationends the process.

In Step ST2403, the base station during an energy saving operationshifts to a normal operation.

In Step ST2404, the user equipment that has transmitted the randomaccess preamble judges whether or not the random access preamble isuplink transmission for wakeup. In a case of judging that the randomaccess preamble is an uplink signal for wakeup, the user equipment endsthe process. In a case of judging that the random access preamble is notan uplink signal for wakeup, the user equipment moves to Step ST2303. InStep ST2303, the user equipment transmits scheduled transmission to thebase station with the use of the PUSCH allocated to the random accessresponse. In Step ST2304, the base station transmits a contentionresolution to the user equipment.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, and the fifth modificationof the first embodiment.

The sixth modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. Theuser equipment that has transmitted the PRACH as uplink transmission forwakeup is not required to receive the PDCCH on which a random accessresponse is mapped. As a result, the user equipment that has transmittedthe PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup does not judge a failure inreceiving a random access response. Further, it is not required toreceive the PDCCH from a cell different from the serving cell, whichreduces an unnecessary handover process and an unnecessary cellreselection process.

The base station that has received the PRACH as uplink transmission forwakeup can reduce the transmission of a random access response. Thisreduces the processing load of the base station and enables effectiveuse of radio resources.

Seventh Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a seventh modification of the first embodimentis described. A problem described below arises even in a case where thesixth modification of the first embodiment is used.

The preamble is repeatedly transmitted until it is normally received bya base station. However, if the user equipment that has transmitted thePRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup is not required to receive arandom access response, the user equipment cannot judge whether or notthe PRACH has been normally received by the base station. This causes aproblem that a preamble transmission operation becomes uncertain.

Along with this, a problem described below arises in determining uplinktransmission power even in a case where the fourth modification of thefirst embodiment or the fifth modification of the first embodiment isused. There arises a problem that “PREAMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER”indicating how many times preamble transmission has been performedbecomes uncertain. The problem that a user equipment cannot determinethe initial transmission power of the PRACH arises again.

A solution in the seventh modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. Parts different from the solutions of the firstembodiment and the fourth modification of the first embodiment, or thefirst embodiment and the fifth modification of the first embodiment aremainly described. Parts that are not described are similar to the firstembodiment and the fourth modification of the first embodiment, or thefirst embodiment and the fifth modification of the first embodiment.

In determining the initial transmission power of the PRACH as uplinktransmission for wakeup, the PRACH is repeatedly transmitted as manytimes as a fixed value. The repetitive transmission may be stopped in acase where a user equipment measures neighboring cells and detects a newlocal eNB.

In a case where the PRACH is transmitted as many times as a fixed valuein determining the initial transmission power of the PRACH as uplinktransmission for wakeup, a user equipment automatically transmits thePRACH again up to the number of times of PRACH transmission.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment and the fourth modification of the firstembodiment, or the first embodiment and the fifth modification of thefirst embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, and the third modification of the first embodiment.

The seventh modification of the first embodiment achieves effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, and the fifth modificationof the first embodiment. Also in a case where the user equipment thathas transmitted the PRACH as uplink transmission for wakeup is notrequired to receive a random access response, the user equipment canestablish the operation of transmitting the PRACH and further determinethe initial transmission power.

Eighth Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in an eighth modification of the first embodimentis described. A problem described below arises even in a case where thesolution of the first embodiment is executed.

Considered here is the case where a local eNB shifts from an energysaving operation to a normal operation upon the execution of the firstembodiment. As a result of the shift in this manner, a user equipment islocated within the coverage of that local eNB, to thereby enter the idlestation normally. It is assumed, however, that the user equipment doesnot shift to the connected state. In that case, the local eNB detects atrigger to shift from a normal operation to an energy saving operationand shifts to the energy saving operation again. This causes the useequipment to be out of the coverage of the local eNB, leading to aproblem that the user equipment is outside the coverage and cannotreceive the service of a mobile communication system in a case whereother neighboring cell does not exist.

Four solutions in the eighth modification of the first embodiment aredisclosed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

(1) Uplink transmission for wakeup is performed with the use of theconfiguration for uplink transmission of a local eNB. In a case where alocal eNB shifts to an energy saving operation, a user equipment beingnormally in an idle state when the local eNB is in a normal operation isassumed here. The local eNB during a normal operation serves as aserving cell for the user equipment. As the local eNB shifts to theenergy saving operation, the reception quality of a serving cell in theuser equipment deteriorates. Accordingly, the condition in which theuser equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup is satisfied,whereby the user equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup. Thelocal eNB that has received the uplink transmission for wakeup shiftsfrom an energy saving operation to a normal operation.

(2) In a case of becoming outside the coverage after camping on a localeNB, a user equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup. This iseffective in a case where the user equipment becomes outside thecoverage because a local eNB during being camped on has shifted to anenergy saving operation. The user equipment may perform the uplinktransmission for wakeup only in a case where the local eNB has thecapability to execute an energy saving operation. In a case where thelocal eNB does not have that capability, the situation in which the userequipment becomes outside the coverage because the local eNB duringbeing camped on shifts to an energy saving operation does not occur.This prevents a user equipment from performing unnecessary uplinktransmission, leading to effects that radio resources are effectivelyused, uplink interference is reduced, and a user equipment reducesenergy consumption.

(3) A local eNB that has received uplink transmission for wakeupperforms a normal operation for a certain time interval (T_a). A userequipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup periodically (T_b). IfT_a≧T_b, the local eNB can be prevented from shifting to an energysaving operation again when a user equipment exists in the range inwhich an uplink signal for wakeup can be received.

(4) Even in a case where a trigger to shift from a normal operation toan energy saving operation exists, a local eNB checks whether or not auser equipment in an idle state exists to be served thereby beforeshifting from a normal operation to an energy saving operation. In acase where a user equipment in an idle state exists to be servedthereby, the local eNB continues a normal operation. On the other hand,in a case where a user equipment in an idle state does not exist to beserved thereby, the local eNB shifts to an energy saving operation. Thisprevents the local eNB from shifting to an energy saving operation in acase where a user equipment in an idle state exists to be servedthereby. This judgment may be applied to the specific example describedin the first embodiment as the trigger to shift from a normal operationto an energy saving operation, (1) “a case where a user equipment in aconnected state does not exist to be served by a local eNB for a certainperiod, or a case where only a user equipment in an idle state exists tobe served by a local eNB for a certain period”.

Disclosed below is a specific example of the method of checking whetheror not a user equipment in an idle state exists to be served by a localeNB. All user equipments being served by a local eNB are paged. If auser equipment that responds to the paging exists, the local eNB judgesthat a user equipment in a connected state or a user equipment in anidle state exists to be served thereby. Meanwhile, if a user equipmentthat responds to the paging does not exist, the local eNB judges thatneither user equipment in a connected state nor user equipment in anidle state exists to be served thereby.

A specific example of simultaneous paging is disclosed below. Asimultaneous paging signal is newly provided for user equipments beingserved by a local eNB. An identifier used in simultaneous paging(hereinafter, also referred to as P-RNTI_simultaneous) for userequipments being served by a local eNB is newly provided. The effectsdescribed below are achieved by newly providing P-RNTI_simultaneousapart from conventional P-RNTI. In the conventional method, a userequipment that has received P-RNTI needs to attempt to decode the PCHfor checking whether paging is for the own user equipment. On the otherhand, the user equipment that has received P-RNTI_simultaneousrecognizes that paging is for all user equipments. Accordingly, the userequipment is not required to decode the PCH and check whether paging isfor the own user equipment, and can respond to the paging. Thisalleviates the processing load of a user equipment and prevents acontrol delay.

The technology of simultaneous paging for user equipments being servedby a local eNB can be used not only in local eNBs but also in all typesof eNBs.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in theeighth modification of the first embodiment if the serving cell is alocal eNB, where similar effects to those of the eighth modification ofthe first embodiment can be achieved.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the eighth modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the eighth modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the fifth modification ofthe first embodiment, the sixth modification of the first embodiment,and the seventh modification of the first embodiment.

The eighth modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. Itis possible to prevent a situation in which a local eNB shifts to anenergy saving operation regardless of a user equipment being in idlestate to be served thereby and the user equipment becomes out ofservice.

Ninth Modification of First Embodiment

A ninth modification of the first embodiment discloses below anothersolution to the problem of the eighth modification of the firstembodiment.

A local eNB transmits, even in an energy saving operation, a signal orchannel necessary for measurement of a user equipment for a certainperiod. This enables the user equipment to check the existence of thelocal eNB even if the local eNB is in an energy saving operation. Threespecific examples of the signal or channel required for measurement aredisclosed below, which include (1) SS, (2) PBCH, and (3) RS.

Two specific examples of a certain period are disclosed below.

(1) Transmission is performed periodically. Transmission is performed byspecifying values of the cycle and transmission period. A specificexample of the method of specifying those values is disclosed below. Thevalues are determined in a static manner. Alternatively, the values aredetermined by a local eNB per se. Still alternatively, the values areinstructed by an entity of higher layer by means of an S1 interface orX2 interface.

(2) Transmission is performed during a specified period. The start oftransmission and the end of transmission are instructed. Alternatively,the start of transmission and the end of transmission are instructedand, after the transmission period expires, transmission is stoppedautomatically. A specific example of the method of specifying values isdisclosed below. The values are determined by a local eNB per se.Alternatively, the values are instructed by an entity of higher layer bymeans of an S1 interface or X2 interface.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the ninth modification of the firstembodiment if the node that performs an energy saving operation is awide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the ninth modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the fifth modification ofthe first embodiment, the sixth modification of the first embodiment,and the seventh modification of the first embodiment.

The ninth modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. Auser equipment that exists in the coverage of a local eNB is capable ofmeasuring the reception quality of the local eNB if the local eNB shiftsto an energy saving operation. This enables the user equipment toacquire the existence of a local eNB during an energy saving operation.Therefore, the user equipment can be prevented from becoming out ofservice. In addition, the user equipment can be prevented fromperforming unnecessary cell reselection. Further, based on the above, itis possible to perform uplink transmission disclosed in, for example,the first embodiment. Accordingly, it is possible to accurately transmituplink transmission for shifting a local eNB performing an energy savingoperation to a normal operation without no waste.

Tenth Modification of First Embodiment

A tenth modification of the first embodiment discloses below an energysaving operation for further reducing energy consumption, in addition tothe effects of the first embodiment.

In a case where a user equipment exists within a tracking area (TA) towhich a local eNB belongs, the local eNB performs the energy savingoperation disclosed in the first embodiment. Meanwhile, in a case wherea user equipment does not exist within the tracking area (TA) to which alocal eNB belongs, the eNB turns off the power. As a result, in a casewhere a trigger to shift from an energy saving operation to a normaloperation does not occur, even the reception operation can be turnedoff, which further reduces energy consumption. This is because, in acase where a user equipment does not exist within the tracking area towhich the local eNB belongs, (1) a user equipment that may performuplink transmission for wakeup does not exist in the neighborhood of thelocal eNB, and (2) there is no likelihood that the local eNB willreceive a paging signal via a backhaul. Therefore, in a case where auser equipment does not exist within the tracking area to which thelocal eNB belongs, it could be said that a trigger to shift from anenergy saving operation to a normal operation does not occur.

FIG. 25 illustrates a sequence example of a mobile communication systemin a case where a solution of the tenth modification of the firstembodiment is used. The portions of FIG. 25 corresponding to those ofFIG. 15 are denoted by the same step numbers, and the processes thereofare not described in detail.

In Step ST2501, an MME judges whether or not a user equipment existswithin a tracking area to which a local eNB belongs. A user equipmentperforms tracking area update in a case where a tracking area to whichthe own user equipment belongs changes, and thus, the judgment of StepST2501 can be executed without complicating a conventional technology.In a case of judging that a user equipment exists in Step ST2501, theMME moves to Step ST2502, or in a case of judging that a user equipmentdoes not exist in Step ST2501, the MME moves to Step ST2503.

In Step ST2502, the MME instructs the local eNB to perform an energysaving operation by means of an S1 interface or X2 interface.Alternatively, the MME may instruct the energy saving operation via theHeNBGW. The instruction to perform an energy saving operation may be aninstruction to turn off the transmission operation and turn on thereception operation. Alternatively, it may be an instruction to turn offthe transmission operation and turn on the discontinuous reception.After that, the MME returns to the judgment of Step ST2501.

In Step ST2503, the MME instructs the local eNB to turn off the power bymeans of an S1 interface or X2 interface. Alternatively, the MME mayinstruct to turn off the power via the HeNBGW. The instruction to turnoff the power may be an instruction to turn off the transmissionoperation and turn off the reception operation. Still alternatively, theinstruction may be an instruction to turn off the transmission operationand turn off the discontinuous reception. After that, the MME returns tothe judgment of Step ST2501. The local eNB that has received theinstruction to turn off the power in Step ST2503 performs the processesof Step ST1501, Step ST1502 and Step ST1503 and, after that, moves toStep ST2504.

In Step ST2504, the local eNB judges whether or not to perform an energysaving operation. A specific example of the judgment in Step ST2504 isdisclosed below. In a case where the local eNB has received theinstruction to perform the energy saving operation, the local eNB judgesto perform an energy saving operation. In a case where the local eNB hasnot received the instruction to perform an energy saving operation, thelocal eNB judges not to perform an energy saving operation. In a casewhere the local eNB has received the instruction to turn off the power,the local eNB judges not to perform an energy saving operation. In acase where the local eNB has not received the instruction to turn offthe power, the local eNB judges to perform an energy saving operation.In a case where the local eNB judges to perform an energy savingoperation, the local eNB moves to Step ST1504. In a case where the localeNB judges not to perform an energy saving operation, the local eNBmoves to Step ST2505.

In Step ST2505, the local eNB turns off the power. As a specificexample, the local eNB turns off the transmission operation and turns onthe reception operation. Alternatively, the local eNB turns off thetransmission operation and turns off the discontinuous reception.

In Step ST2506, the local eNB judges whether or not it has received aninstruction to perform an energy saving operation. In a case of judgingthat it has received the instruction, the local eNB moves to StepST1504, or in a case of judging that is has not received theinstruction, the local eNB repeats the process of Step ST2506. Afterperforming the processes of Step ST1504 and Step ST1505, the local eNBmoves to Step ST2507.

In Step ST2507, the local eNB judges whether or not it has received theinstruction to turn off the power. In a case of judging that it hasreceived the instruction, the local eNB moves to Step ST2505, or in acase of judging that is has not received the instruction, repeats theprocess of Step ST2507.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in thetenth modification of the first embodiment even if the serving cell is alocal eNB, where similar effects to those of the tenth modification ofthe first embodiment can be achieved.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the tenth modification of the firstembodiment even if the node that performs an energy saving operation isa wide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of the tenthmodification of the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the fifth modification ofthe first embodiment, the sixth modification of the first embodiment,the seventh modification of the first embodiment, the eighthmodification of the first embodiment, and the ninth modification of thefirst embodiment.

The tenth modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. In acase where the trigger to shift from an energy saving operation to anormal operation does not occur, it is possible to turn off thereception operation as well. On the other hand, in a case where theremay occur a trigger to shift from an energy saving operation to a normaloperation, a shift to the energy saving operation is enabled, whichenables to turn on the reception operation. Accordingly, energyconsumption can be reduced further while keeping the effects of thefirst embodiment.

Eleventh Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in an eleventh modification of the firstembodiment is described. A problem described below arises even in a casewhere the solution of the first embodiment is executed.

A HeNB is deployed by an owner irrespective of the positions at whichother cell is deployed. Therefore, a HeNB may be deployed in a placewhere the reception quality of the other cell is good. The deployment ofa HeNB in the neighborhood of the other cell is conceivable as aspecific example. In a case where the other cell is a serving cell insuch a location, the reception quality of the serving cell does notdeteriorate in the neighborhood of the HeNB deployed in the neighborhoodof the other cell. For example, in a case where the reception quality ofthe serving cell is judged as a trigger to transmit uplink transmissionfor wakeup, a situation in which a user equipment performs uplinktransmission for wakeup does not occur. Accordingly, in a case where aHeNB is deployed in the neighborhood of other cell, there arises aproblem that the HeNB cannot shift from an energy saving operation to anormal operation in uplink transmission for wakeup from a userequipment.

FIG. 26 is a location diagram illustrating the problem of the eleventhmodification of the first embodiment. A macro cell 2601 has a coverage2609. The path loss from the macro cell 2601 is, for example, “9” in theneighborhood of the coverage 2609. A HeNB 2602 is deployed in theneighborhood of the path loss, for example, “1” from the macro cell2601. A HeNB 2603 is deployed in the neighborhood of the path loss, forexample, “2” from the macro cell 2601. A HeNB 2604 is deployed in theneighborhood of the path loss, for example, “7” from the macro cell2601. A HeNB 2605 is deployed in the neighborhood of the path loss, forexample, “8” from the macro cell 2601. A HeNB 2606 is deployed in theneighborhood of the path loss, for example, “9” from the macro cell2601. A solid line 2607 of FIG. 26 indicates the location with a pathloss “3” from the macro cell 2601. A solid line 2608 of FIG. 26indicates the location with a path loss “6” from the macro cell 2601. Asolid line 2609 of FIG. 26 indicates the location with a path loss “9”from the macro cell 2601.

Considered here is a case where the value “9” of a path loss is used asa wakeup uplink transmission threshold as the method of judging thedeterioration in reception quality of the serving cell using (1) a casewhere the reception quality of the serving cell deteriorates is used asa specific example of a situation in which uplink transmission forwakeup is performed in the first embodiment. In a case where a userequipment transmits the uplink signal for wakeup under theabove-mentioned conditions, in the location as shown in FIG. 26, onlythe HeNB 2606 may shift to a normal operation by the uplink signal powerfor wakeup. There is no likelihood that the HeNB 2602, HeNB 2603, HeNB2604 and HeNB 2605 will shift to the normal operation by the uplinksignal for wakeup. This is because the HeNB 2602, HeNB 2603, HeNB 2604and HeNB 2605 are located within the place where the path loss from themacro cell 2601 is smaller than the threshold “9”. Accordingly, a userequipment does not reach the situation to perform uplink transmissionfor wakeup in the vicinities of the HeNB 2602, HeNB 2603, HeNB 2604 andHeNB 2605.

In a case where, for example, a HeNB is deployed in a house of an ownerof a user equipment, the means in which the HeNB shifts from an energysaving operation to a normal operation without the process by a userwhen the owner returns home is important in terms of the construction ofa user-friendly system. This means is necessary even if a user equipmentis in an idle state.

As described above, Non-Patent Document 8 describes the technology usingan X2 interface, which is not applicable to a HeNB. Further, a userequipment in an idle state is not taken into consideration in Non-PatentDocument 8.

The solution in the eleventh modification of the first embodiment isdescribed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

A serving cell notifies user equipments being served thereby of theinformation indicating the existence of a HeNB and the information ofthe path loss for the location in which the HeNB exists. In a case wherethe reception quality of the serving cell becomes the path lossindicating that a HeNB exists, the user equipment that has received theinformation performs uplink transmission for wakeup. This enables theHeNB to shift to a normal operation in a case where the user equipmentexists in the neighborhood of the HeNB.

Further, in a case a user equipment that has received the information isregistered with any CSG (whitelist is not empty), the user equipment mayperform uplink transmission for wakeup when the reception quality of theserving cell becomes the path loss indicating the existence of a HeNB.Alternatively, in a case where the user equipment that has received theinformation is not registered with any CSG (whitelist is empty), theuser equipment may not perform uplink transmission for wakeup even ifthe reception quality of a serving cell becomes the path loss indicatingthe existence of a HeNB.

Specific examples of the information indicating the existence of a HeNBand the information of the path loss for the location in which the HeNBexists are described below. FIG. 27 shows a specific example of theinformation of the path loss in the solution of the eleventhmodification of the first embodiment.

(1) A path loss in which a HeNB exists. In the case of the locationshown in FIG. 26, information is as shown in part (1) of FIG. 27. A userequipment can transmit a wakeup uplink signal in accordance with thepath loss, which reduces unnecessary uplink transmission.

(2) The range of a path loss and whether or not a HeNB exists within therange thereof. In the case of the location shown in FIG. 26, informationis as shown in part (2) of FIG. 27. Irrespective of the number of HeNBsto be deployed, an amount of the information indicating the existence ofa HeNB and the information of a path loss for the location in which theHeNB exists is constant. In the case where HeNBs to be deployedincrease, the amount of information can be reduced more compared withthe above-mentioned method (1). This enables to effectively use radioresources. The division of path loss range is determined in a staticmanner such that, for example, an index 1 indicates being equal to orlarger than zero and smaller than three, an index 2 indicates beingequal to or larger than three and smaller than six, and an index 3indicates being equal to or larger than six, which leads to a furtherreduction in amount of information.

While the present modification has described the case where a servingcell is a macro cell, the present invention can be performed as in theeleventh modification of the first embodiment if the serving cell is alocal eNB, where similar effects to those of the eleventh modificationof the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the fifth modification ofthe first embodiment, the sixth modification of the first embodiment,the seventh modification of the first embodiment, eighth modification ofthe first embodiment, the ninth modification of the first embodiment,and the tenth modification of the first embodiment.

The eleventh modification of the first embodiment can achieve effectsdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment.Similar effects to those of the first embodiment can be achieved also ina HeNB that may be deployed in the place where the reception quality ofother cell is sufficient.

Twelfth Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a twelfth modification of the first embodimentis described. Even in a case where the solution of the first embodimentis executed, a problem described below arises when a local eNB is a HeNBthat operates in a closed access mode.

With the use of the first embodiment, the uplink transmission for wakeupfrom a user equipment is received, whereby the HeNB shifts from anenergy saving operation to a normal operation. Meanwhile, the userequipment is not registered with the CSG to which the HeNB belongs. Inthis case, there arises a problem that even if the HeNB enters a normaloperation, the user equipment cannot access the HeNB as well as cannotcamp thereon. In addition, the energy saving operation of a HeNB isreleased unnecessarily, leading to a problem that energy consumption isnot reduced efficiently.

Three solutions in the twelfth modification of the first embodiment aredisclosed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

(1) In a case of shifting from an energy saving operation to a normaloperation, a HeNB does not operate in a closed access mode but operatesin an open access mode or a hybrid access mode. As a result, even if auser equipment that has performed uplink transmission for wakeup is notregistered with the CSG to which the HeNB belongs, the user equipment iscapable of accessing the HeNB and camping thereon.

(2) A HeNB judges whether or not a user equipment that has performedwakeup uplink transmission is registered with the CSG to which the ownHeNB belongs and, if the user equipment is registered, the HeNB shiftsfrom an energy saving operation to a normal operation. If the userequipment is not registered, the HeNB continues an energy savingoperation. This reduces the unnecessary release of an energy savingoperation by a HeNB.

(3) A HeNB judges whether or not a user equipment that has performedwakeup uplink transmission is registered with the CSG to which the ownHeNB belongs and, in a case where the user equipment is registered,shifts from an energy saving operation to a normal operation by enteringa closed access mode or allowing a closed access mode. In a case wherethe user equipment is not registered, the HeNB shifts to a normaloperation by entering an open access mode or a hybrid access mode orprohibiting a closed access mode.

Disclosed below is a specific example of the method in which a HeNBjudges whether or not a user equipment that has performed wakeup uplinktransmission is registered with a CSG to which the own HeNB belongs. Theidentification information of a user equipment (such as UE-ID) isincluded in a wakeup uplink signal from the user equipment. The HeNBjudges whether or not the user equipment is registered with the CSG towhich the own HeNB belongs based on the identification information ofthe user equipment. This judgment may be performed by inquiring of ahome subscriber server (HSS). The HSS is a subscriber informationdatabase in a mobile communication network of 3GPP, which is an entitythat manages authentication information and the location information.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the fifth modification ofthe first embodiment, the sixth modification of the first embodiment,the seventh modification of the first embodiment, the eighthmodification of the first embodiment, the ninth modification of thefirst embodiment, the tenth modification of the first embodiment, andthe eleventh modification of the first embodiment.

The twelfth modification of the first embodiment can achieve the effectdescribed below in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. Byreceiving uplink transmission for wakeup from the user equipment, it ispossible to prevent the occurrence of a situation in which, even thougha HeNB shifts from an energy saving operation to a normal operation, theuser equipment cannot access the HeNB or cannot camp thereon on theground that the user equipment is not registered with the CSG to whichthe HeNB belongs. This reduces energy consumption efficiently.

Thirteenth Modification of First Embodiment

A problem to be solved in a thirteenth modification of the firstembodiment is described. Even if the solution of the first embodiment isexecuted, a problem described below arises in a case of an isolated cellwhere a local eNB does not exist within the coverage of any cell.

In the first embodiment, a user equipment executes AFC using thedownlink transmission of a serving cell in a case of performing uplinktransmission for wakeup. In the case of an isolated cell, however, aproblem that the AFC cannot be executed arises. If AFC cannot beexecuted, a difference between frequencies is caused between a userequipment and a local eNB. This deteriorates the reception quality.

Two solutions in the thirteenth modification of the first embodiment aredisclosed below. Parts different from the solution of the firstembodiment are mainly described. Parts that are not described aresimilar to the first embodiment.

(1) A user equipment performs uplink transmission for wakeup if thecondition for performing uplink transmission for wakeup is satisfied. Aspecific example of the uplink transmission for wakeup is disclosedbelow. A user equipment transmits a predetermined signal in apredetermined frequency-time domain. A local eNB measures the receivedpower in a predetermined frequency-time domain and, in a case where thereceived power exceeds a given threshold, shifts from an energy savingoperation to a normal operation.

As a specific example of the predetermined frequency-time domain, afrequency domain is given more latitude. The latitude given to afrequency prevents the influence when a difference between thefrequencies arises. The predetermined frequency-time domain may bedetermined in a static manner.

Specific examples of the predetermined signal include a random signaland a PN signal.

(2) A local eNB does not shift to an energy saving operation in a caseof judging that the own cell is an isolated cell. On the other hand, thelocal eNB executes the energy saving operation of the first embodimentin a case of judging that the own cell is not an isolated cell.

A specific example of the method of judging that the own cell is anisolated cell is disclosed below. A local eNB measures a surroundingradio environment in initialization, turning-on of the power, orturning-off of the transmission power at times. Specific examples of thesurrounding radio environment include the reception quality of aneighboring cell. If the reception quality or received power of all ofthe neighboring cells is equal to or smaller than a threshold (or issmaller than a threshold), a local eNB judges that the own cell is anisolated cell. Meanwhile, if the path loss of all of the neighboringcells is larger (or is equal to or larger) than a threshold, a local eNBjudges that the own cell is an isolated cell.

While the present modification has described the case where the nodethat performs an energy saving operation is a local eNB, the presentinvention can be performed as in the thirteenth modification of thefirst embodiment even if the node that performs an energy savingoperation is a wide-area eNB, where similar effects to those of thethirteenth modification of the first embodiment can be achieved.

The present modification has mainly described the example combined withthe first embodiment, which can be used in combination with the firstmodification of the first embodiment, the second modification of thefirst embodiment, the third modification of the first embodiment, thefourth modification of the first embodiment, the fifth modification ofthe first embodiment, the sixth modification of the first embodiment,the seventh modification of the first embodiment, the eighthmodification of the first embodiment, the ninth modification of thefirst embodiment, the tenth modification of the first embodiment, theeleventh modification of the first embodiment, and the twelfthmodification of the first embodiment.

The thirteenth modification of the first embodiment can achieve aneffect that a problem of an isolated cell can be solved, in addition tothe effects of the first embodiment.

While the invention has been shown and described in detail, theforegoing description is in all aspects illustrative and notrestrictive. It is therefore understood that numerous modifications andvariations can be devised without departing from the scope of theinvention.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

1301, 1801, 1803, 1805, 2601 macro cell, 1302, 1304, 1602, 1604, 1606,1608, 1802, 1804, 1806, 1808, 2609 coverage, 1303, 1601, 1603, 1605,1607, 1807 local eNB, 1401, 1809, 2101, 2104 user equipment, 2602, 2603,2604, 2605, 2606 HeNB.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication system comprising: alocal base station device; and a user equipment device configured toperform radio communication with at least said local base stationdevice, wherein upon predetermined shift conditions being satisfied,said local base station device shifts from a normal operation state toan energy saving operation state, said local base station deviceperforming a transmission operation for transmitting downlinktransmission signals to said user equipment device and a receptionoperation for receiving uplink transmission signals transmitted fromsaid user equipment device in said normal operation state and stoppingthe transmission operation for at least part of the downlinktransmission signals and performing said reception operation in saidenergy saving operation state, upon the local base station device insaid energy saving operation state receiving said uplink transmissionsignals transmitted from said user equipment device, said local basestation device shifts from said energy saving operation state to saidnormal operation state, and the mobile communication system furthercomprising a communication device configured to perform radiocommunication or wire communication with said local base station device,wherein said shift conditions include at least one of conditions that:(a) said user equipment device being in a connected state with saidlocal base station device does not exist for a predetermined period; (b)an instruction to shift from said normal operation state to said energysaving operation state is provided by a base station device other thansaid local base station device or a communication device.
 2. A mobilecommunication system comprising: a local base station device; and a userequipment device configured to perform radio communication with at leastsaid local base station device, wherein upon predetermined shiftconditions being satisfied, said local base station device shifts from anormal operation state to an energy saving operation state, said localbase station device performing a transmission operation for transmittingdownlink transmission signals to said user equipment device and areception operation for receiving uplink transmission signalstransmitted from said user equipment device in said normal operationstate and stopping the transmission operation for at least part of thedownlink transmission signals and performing said reception operation insaid energy saving operation state, and upon the local base stationdevice in said energy saving operation state receiving said uplinktransmission signals transmitted from said user equipment device, saidlocal base station device shifts from said energy saving operation stateto said normal operation state, wherein said local base station devicenotifies a neighboring node of configuration parameters for uplinktransmission needed by the user equipment device to perform uplinktransmission to said local base station device during the energy savingoperation state and said user equipment device obtains the neededconfiguration parameters from the neighboring node.
 3. The mobilecommunication system according to claim 2, wherein said configurationparameters are based on measurement results of the surrounding radioenvironment of the local base station device.
 4. The mobilecommunication system according to claim 3, wherein said measurementresults of the surrounding radio environment include the measurementresults of reception quality of a neighboring cell.
 5. The mobilecommunication system according to claim 3, wherein said measurementresults of the surrounding radio environment include the measurementresults of received power of a neighboring cell.
 6. The mobilecommunication system according to claim 3, wherein said measurementresults of the surrounding radio environment include the measurementresults of path loss of a neighboring cell.